La Liga preview: Barca can atone at Granada

Barcelona are aiming to return to winning ways in La Liga on Tuesday, while Real Madrid are also in hot pursuit of league leaders Levante.

The European champions were held to a 0-0 draw at home to Sevilla on Saturday after Argentine forward Lionel Messi had a stoppage time penalty saved.

With Real Madrid winning convincingly at Malaga, Pep Guardiola’s side dropped to third.

They are both trailing surprise leaders Levante, who have collected 20 points from eight games and are undefeated.

Barcelona will travel to struggling Granada, where Messi will be looking to add to his 10 league goals.

Real Madrid will welcome Villarreal to the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday, as they look to build on their seven-match unbeaten run in all competitions.

Jose Mourinho will again be forced to decide which of his in-form strikers starts, with Gonzalo Higuain and Karim Benzema both scoring goals at will.

Higuain netted in the 4-0 romp against Malaga, while Benzema has also been finding the net when given his chance.

Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo hit a hat-trick to take his tally in the league to 10 goals.

The two giants will be forced to wait before they can top the table if Levante can continue their form run.

Midfielder Juanlu has found the net on five occasions this campaign and Juan Ignacio Martinez’s side have won six games on the trot.

Fourth-placed Sevilla will welcome lowly Racing Santander, who are the only winless team in the league, to Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan on Tuesday.

Valencia will visit Real Zaragoza on Wednesday, while Malaga take on Rayo Vallecano.

Getafe need a win against Osasuna to avoid slipping into the relegation zone, while Mallorca play host to Sporting Gijon.

On Thursday, Espanyol host Real Betis in a mid-table clash and Atletico Madrid will be out to break a six-game winless run in all competitions when they travel to Athletic Bilbao.