Casillas braces for Barca backlash following earlier defeat of rivals

Real Madrid captain Iker Casillas is expecting a backlash from Barcelona when the two meet again in the league today after Madrid's 3-1 victory over the Catalans on Tuesday.

The Spanish champions booked their place in the Spanish Cup final with a complete performance that restricted Barca to very little going forward and contained their usual lightning speed on the counter-attack.

But Casillas believes he knows many of his international colleagues in the Barca side too well to think they will take defeat lying down. "I know many of the Barcelona players and I know that they are competitive," he said.

Despite their joy in the cup, in the league it is Barca who have been the dominant force this season as they arrive in the capital with a 16-point advantage over Real.

And with another huge Champions League game to come against Manchester United on Tuesday, many expect Jose Mourinho to make a number of changes.

However, Casillas believes it is important to try and maintain their positive momentum heading into their trip to Old Trafford with the teams locked 1-1 after the first leg of their last-16 duel.