La Liga preview: Malaga seek end to Real drought

Malaga will be searching for their first ever win against leaders Real Madrid, while Barcelona visit Sevilla in this weekend’s La Liga action.

In 23 meetings dating back to 1999, Real Madrid have beaten Malaga 18 times with five outings finishing as draws.

But Manuel Pellegrini’s men have been closing in on a victory against the Spanish powerhouse, twice going close in their Copa del Rey round-of-16 tie in January.

In both legs they were edged by a goal, and despite entering Sunday’s clash at the Santiago Bernabeu on the back of three consecutive league wins, they have the big task of stopping Jose Mourinho’s rampant side.

With Cristiano Ronaldo (32 league goals), Gonzalo Higuain (17) and Karim Benzema (13) finishing off the good work of Mesut Oezil and Kaka in midfield, Real have moved 10 points clear of Barcelona.

Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona travel to Sevilla on Saturday still maintaining hope they can catch Real.

The champions take on a Sevilla side sitting 11th despite being expected to challenge for a European spot this campaign.

Michel’s Sevilla outfit suffered a 1-0 loss to struggling Sporting Gijon last time out and will find the going tough against a Barcelona side that has won six straight games in all competitions.

Elsewhere, Valencia meet Marcelo Bielsa’s Athletic Bilbao on Sunday as Unai Emery’s side look to maintain their four-point advantage in third spot.

Sporting Gijon will be hoping their surprise win over Sevilla can kick-start their campaign and help them move out of the relegation zone, beginning with a trip to Granada on Saturday.

Javier Clemente’s team ended a run of seven league matches without a win when they shocked Sevilla, and are now just three points from safety.

Levante will be out to bounce back from their loss to Malaga when they host Villarreal on Sunday, while eighth-placed Atletico Madrid travel to Mallorca.

Osasuna enter their clash against bottom-placed Real Zaragoza as hot favourites and Getafe meet Real Sociedad.

In other matches, Rayo Vallecano host Real Betis and Espanyol welcome strugglers Racing Santander to Estadi Cornella-El Prat on Monday.