Gonzalo Higuain says Real Madrid are a different model compared to last season.

The last time Real hosted Barcelona, they were thrashed 6-2.

But ahead of this weekend's clash, Higuain said: "There has been a big change. There are new players, a new coach and, above all, a great run of victories that have given us a lot of confidence."

Last May's fixture ended up all but deciding the title - Barca clinched the league a fortnight later without kicking a ball after Madrid lost to Villarreal - but Higuain does not believe Saturday's encounter will be the definitive match of this season's race.

"It's a vital game, but not decisive," said the in-form Argentinian in AS.

"Winning a Clasico gives you a big morale boost for the games that follow, (but) there are 21 points left afterwards, which are enough to say that the game will not be definitive."