Former Real Madrid and Arsenal forward Julio Baptista has backed Jude Bellingham to all-but-secure his first LaLiga title by winning Sunday night’s ‘Clasico’.

Barcelona are banking on Real Madrid feeling the effects of Wednesday’s draining 120 minutes against Manchester City in the Champions League.

But asked if he felt Barcelona had been thrown a lifeline in the title race by the fatigue and rotations likely to follow from their escapades at the Etihad, Baptista said: ‘No, completely the opposite.

‘A lot of the starters will be the same and then for the players coming in knowing how important the game is they will be out to prove a point.’

Bellingham can take a huge step towards winning his first LaLiga crown on Sunday. Real Madrid will be 11 points clear of Barcelona if they win and with only 18 points left in play.

Baptista has been impressed with the way the Englishman has hit the ground running in Spain, scoring 20 goals in all competitions.

He said: ‘I think he has adapted very well and he had an extraordinary start to his career at Madrid. Perhaps his level has dropped a little over the last month or so but maybe that is just the accumulation of games he has played. 

‘He has played a lot of minutes and sometimes players start to feel that in the legs, they are only human.’

He also praised the way the 20-year-old has integrated himself into the squad despite not speaking the language. 

When Baptista signed for Real Madrid in 2005 he did so from LaLiga club Sevilla and with friendships with fellow Brazilians Roberto Carlos and Ronaldo already at the club.

‘The key to adapting is to pass the maximum amount of time possible with team-mates speaking the language,’ added Baptista.

Bellingham has been asked to play in Madrid’s front three frequently this season and asked where he saw him ending up on the pitch Baptista said: ‘I see him playing behind a striker or playing behind two strikers. I think that is where you will get the best out of him.’

Baptista, who also spent a year on loan at Arsenal after his first season at the Bernabeu, before returning to the Spanish capital and winning LaLiga added: ‘This is Barcelona’s last chance. If they lose or even draw it will be practically all over. We’ve never seen a team throw away such a lead at this point of the season.

‘Even if Barcelona win it is still five points so Madrid would have to lose twice for Barcelona to win the league. Anything is possible but Madrid with that boost of what happened in midweek have things in their favour.’

The psychological impact of Madrid marking up another European epic in midweek knocking out Manchester City contrasts sharply with the dark clouds that have rolled over Barcelona following their exit to Paris Saint-Germain.

‘No player likes to be knocked out the Champions League and the Barcelona players are still coming to terms with it,’ Baptista said. 

‘The Madrid players will be euphoric for making it into the semi-finals. As well as having the advantage that they have in LaLiga I think what happened in midweek just gives Madrid that little bit extra.’

Sunday’s game may well be decided by a compatriot of Baptista and on the subject of in-form Raphinha and the irrepressible Vinicius he said: ‘They are two very different players. Raphinha stands out for his technical level; whereas Vinicius’ strong point is his speed.

‘Both of them fit very well into the teams they play for. The way Barcelona play suits Raphinha and the way that Madrid play means that Vinicius fits perfectly for them. Vinicius has shone that little bit more because he has been in Europe for longer. 

‘Raphinha had a few ups and downs at first but now that he has really adapted to where he is there is a consistency.’

Madrid’s win over Manchester City has cast a shadow over today’s game, even dominating Barcelona coach Xavi’s Saturday press conference. ‘We will find a strong Madrid and even more so after eliminating the best team in the world, City,’ he said.

‘The win for Madrid in midweek and the defeat for Barcelona carries huge wait and can do a lot of damage,’ concluded Baptista. ‘You have to deal with the fact that you lost and you see that your great rival succeeded.’

Asked for a prediction the Brazilian who scored the winner in the Camp Nou ‘Clasico in 2007 added: ‘The ideal ‘Clasico’ for me would be a 2-1 win for Madrid. And (in terms of the title) that would probably be that.’

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