La Liga Preview: More goals for Falcao?

Radamel Falcao is almost certain to score for his 11th-straight game on Sunday when Atletico Madrid host Osasuna, who are bottom of La Liga.

Falcao has scored 16 goals in his last ten games for either Atletico Madrid or Colombia’s national team and has hit the back of the net nine times in Spain this season, equal with Cristiano Ronaldo and two behind Lionel Messi.

The 26-year-old striker’s brilliant form has led Atletico Madrid to second place in Spain’s top football division, only behind Barcelona on goal difference.

Atletico Madrid have won their last 11 games and remain undefeated in all competitions this season.

Madrid’s second-largest club should have few troubles at home against Osasuna this weekend and if Barcelona slip up away to Rayo Vallecano on Saturday, or Atletico win their game by three more goals than the Catalan side, Falcao and his teammates will be top of La Liga.

Atletico Madrid have not won the Spanish league title since the 1995-96 season and they head into their clash with Osasuna after a 2-1 Europa League victory over Portugal’s Academica de Coimbra.

Barcelona needed a stoppage-time winner from full-back Jordi Alba to overcome Celtic 2-1 in the Champions League this week, while Real Madrid travel to Mallorca on Sunday after their 2-1 loss away to Borussia Dortmund midweek.

Former Barcelona midfielder Andreu Fontas, who joined Mallorca on loan last week, has warned his new teammates to expect a highly-motivated Real Madrid side after the capital club’s loss in Germany.

“We have to work at our game a bit more, knowing that we will face a very difficult opponent, who will come with more motivation and desire after losing to Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League,” Fontas told reporters.

“Against Madrid we must stand up, defend well together and take our chances.

“This will be a special game for me, for my Barca connection, I have really wanted to play against a great team.”

In other matches on Saturday, sixth-placed Real Betis host Valencia, who are ninth on the La Liga table, while Malaga head to Espanyol and Celta de Vigo take on Deportivo La Coruna.

If Betis can knock off Valencia, who have been inconsistent this season, they could move ahead of local rivals Sevilla.

Betis would need Sevilla to, at best, draw away to Real Zaragoza for that to happen.

In other Sunday matches, Levante will host Granada and Athletic Bilbao are up against Getafe.