The stage is set. Real Madrid thrashed Levante 5-0 in Valencia and Barcelona beat Eibar 3-0 at Camp Nou as both sides warmed up in style for next Saturday's Clasico clash at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Barca should have made its first-half dominance count against Eibar as chances came and went in the opening 45 minutes, with the Catalans somewhat fortunate to go in ahead after Ander Capa missed an open goal - albeit from a tight angle.
The second half brought rewards, however, as the excellent Xavi (set up superbly by Lionel Messi), Neymar and then the Argentine himself got the goals to seal a comfortable 3-0 win. Messi, though, needed one more to equal the record for goals scored in La Liga.
A header in the dying seconds almost achieved it after the Argentine had netted his 200th goal at Camp Nou and his 250th strike in La Liga with a fine run, one-two with Neymar and precise finish in off the post with 16 minutes left.
But that late effort was saved by the superb Xabi Irureta and the record will now have to wait until next Saturday at the Bernabeu, where Messi hit a hat trick on his last appearance.
"Sometimes I say to myself how lucky we are to have Messi," Luis Enrique said afterwards. "It's not just about what he creates, it's also a great stimulus for his teammates to have him and especially in such great form."
Messi missed chances on Saturday, but was involved in all of Barca's best play. And next Saturday, he will be able to link up with Luis Suarez as the Uruguayan is available again following his bite ban.
Top of La Liga with 22 points from 24, no goals conceded at all so far, Suarez to come in and with Messi chasing a record, Barca appears in superb shape for the Clasico.
"We'll go to the Bernabeu to win the match, like we have always done, especially over the last few years," Luis Enrique explained.
But Madrid looks just as good ahead of the latest edition of Spain's most famous fixture, having hit five goals without reply at one of La Liga's notoriously difficult away venues and amassing 25 goals in its last five Primera Division matches.
Cristiano Ronaldo took his Liga tally for the season to 15 with a penalty and a superb solo strike. The Portuguese is on the finest form of his career in front of goal and averages over two per game so far in La Liga this term.
"To do more than what he does is impossible," coach Carlo Ancelotti said after the game. "We want him to stay in this form and we are going to help him do that."
Gareth Bale, Karim Benzema and Sergio Ramos were all out and are doubtful for the midweek Champions league clash against Liverpool, but Isco impressed in Valencia with an assist for Ronaldo's second and a lovely goal as well, while James Rodriguez also shone with a great goal and an assist and Javier Hernandez won a penalty and scored with a header from close range.
"You don't score goals like that without sacrifice and concentration," Ancelotti added. "We're in good physical and mental shape for the Clasico."
Indeed they are, and with the two teams in such fantastic form ahead of next weekend's clash, it already promises to be quite an occasion.