La Liga preview: Barca, Real resume title rivalry

Barcelona face a challenging encounter against Espanyol in La Liga, while Real Madrid host Granada as their title battle resumes.

The European champions took out the Club World Cup while the league was on the best part of a month-long break, continuing to look at their best.

While Argentine maestro Lionel Messi (17 goals and seven assists) has played a key role in leading them to second in La Liga, several others have made major contributions.

Xavi, Dani Alves, Andres Iniesta and Eric Abidal have been among the others to play strong parts for Pep Guardiola’s team.

They meet eight-placed Espanyol, who finished 2011 with consecutive league wins, at Estadi Cornella-El Prat on Sunday.

Meanwhile, league leaders Real Madrid face what appears a straightforward game at home to Granada on Saturday.

Jose Mourinho’s side came from behind to beat Malaga 3-2 in the first leg of their Copa del Rey clash on Tuesday.

Midfielder Angel di Maria, who tops La Liga’s assists charts with 13 this season, missed the encounter due to injury and is in doubt to take on Granada.

Cristiano Ronaldo (20 goals and six assists) has recaptured his form of last season, while Gonzalo Higuain has found the net 12 times.

Elsewhere, Valencia captain Roberto Soldado will be out to build on his 11 league goals when his team travel to Villarreal on Sunday.

In other matches, Levante host Mallorca on Saturday hopeful of consolidating fourth spot, while Osasuna travel to Real Sociedad.

Diego Simeone will take charge of Atletico Madrid for the first time as they meet Malaga at Estadio La Rosaleda on Saturday.

Sevilla travel to Rayo Vallecano, Getafe and Athletic Bilbao do battle and Real Betis welcome struggling Sporting Gijon on Sunday.

On Saturday, La Liga’s bottom two – Racing Santander and Real Zaragoza – meet at Campos de Sport de El Sardinero.