Real Madrid boss Juande Ramos is hopeful that Barcelona's busy schedule may affect their league form.
Barcelona have been in superb form for much of the season and they lead their fierce rivals by six points in the Primera Liga title race.
However, Pep Guardiola's side are still involved in the UEFA Champions League and the Copa del Rey, while Real can focus solely on the league.
Ramos believes Barca will drop more points, telling AS : "They have to play in the Copa del Rey final and in the next round of the Champions League so they will feel some tiredness.
"We are going to have more time to recover, although that may not mean anything if we do not use it."
Real crashed out of Europe in midweek as they lost 4-0 to Liverpool in the second leg of their UEFA Champions League tie and Ramos admits morale has been low over the last few days.
He said: "The players have lost a bit of the happiness, but we are still playing very well.
"These are the same players that have recorded ten consecutive league wins) before a 1-1 draw with Atletico Madrid) and they will continue to do well.
"The game against Liverpool has finished and we are focused solely on playing Athletic (Bilbao). Everything else is now behind us."
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