The Clasico returns on March 22 with Real Madrid and Barcelona contesting arguably the most crucial game of the year.

If Real Madrid wins, then it retains control of first place. With a win Barcelona would extend its lead to four points of its rival and control its own destiny the rest of the way. A draw would sustain Barcelona's one-point lead in the division.

Goaltending will undoubtedly be the big question for this Clasico with one side essentially set in goal while the other struggling to figure out who mans the pipes. Here is how the goaltending situation breaks down.

Barcelona - Claudio Bravo is the man

There are only two numbers that you need to know about Claudio Bravo -- 14 and 26. The former exhibits the number of goals the Chilean keeper has conceded this season for Barcelona, and the second figure defines the number of games it has taken him to achieve said feat. That's 14 goals in 26 games or for stats lovers that would be read as 0.53 goals per game.

Bravo of course will be looking for some degree of redemption in this Clasico as Madrid was the team that broke his perfect shutout streak in the Spanish League back in October. Prior to that 3-1 loss, he had gone eight games for Blaugrana without conceding a single goal. Since then his longest shutout streak has maxed out at two games on three separate occasions. He has 15 clean sheets on the year.

Regardless, Bravo has been a stalwart, and if he has not been called on to make game changing saves in recent months, it has a lot to do with the team in front of him.

Real Madrid -- Iker or Keylor?

The situation for Carlo Ancelotti is a bit more complex. Did you notice that sterling goals against average for Claudio Bravo? Iker Casillas, Madrid's current number one has allowed approximately 30 in 30 games, or 1.00 goals per game. Not horrid stats, but certainly not at the same level as Bravo. And while Casillas has managed 17 clean sheets on the year, he has not had one since Feb. 22 against Elche. And in his last three matches, he has conceded a six goals, including four against Schalke.

It was this last effort in the Champions League that has fans upset and horrified. Casillas had seemingly found his form in late December when he made penalty stops in two straight matches. But a woeful error in a recent 4-0 loss against Atletico Madrid prompted doubts about his abilities. His performance against Schalke only made matters worse as Casillas was at fault for three of the four goals conceded.

So does Casillas, who had a solid Clasico in October, get the look? Or does Ancelotti turn to the rarely used Keylor Navas? The Costa Rican, who was brought over in the summer, was expected to play a bigger role for the club but has gotten a whopping six matches all season long (yes, that is sarcasm). He has had mixed results in that span including two rough performances against Atletico Madrid in the Copa del Rey. He was however at his best in Real Madrid's 1-0 win over Basel in the Champions League. If he gets the game against Levante this weekend, it might open the doors for him to contest the Clasico, something that might benefit the club. Navas' form has never been a concern, but it could be due to the lack of consistent playing time.

Who should Madrid start?

Edge: Barcelona undoubtedly wins in this area. The team has a true No. 1, something that Real Madrid might be starting to wonder. Back in December, this contest would have two confident starters facing off. Now it has just one. And that one belongs to Barcelona.