The season may not even be at the halfway point yet but Barca could move a massive 12 points clear of arch rivals Madrid if they win Saturday's Clasico at the Nou Camp.

All signs are pointing to a Barca triumph, with Pep Guardiola's side in phenomenal form while Madrid have just changed coaches, have up to nine players absent through injury and suspension and have suffered six defeats in their last 13 matches in all competitions.

And Xavi is keen to stick the boot in, saying: "We are mentally focused on winning, and nothing else. It is the moment to leave Madrid 12 points behind and in trouble football-wise.

"We are going out for the win and that's it. The fans are free to think about the possibility of lots of goals, but we know that it's not going to be easy to win."

Xavi also admits he was shocked by Madrid's decision to part company with their coach Bernd Schuster just days before one of the biggest games of the Primera Liga season, with Juande Ramos the new man in charge.

The Barca midfielder was also taken aback to hear Schuster's comments after Madrid's 4-3 home defeat to Sevilla on Sunday night, when the German claimed it was not possible to win at the Nou Camp right now.

"I was surprised by both things, first by what he said, because Madrid are a winning team and they have always come here and made things difficult," said Xavi in AS.

"Nobody believed what Schuster said. We know that it will be a very complicated game, despite the fact we are in good form.

"I was also surprised at his dismissal, but that doesn't worry us much."