La Liga preview: Real, Barca aim to extend gap at top

La Liga leaders Real Madrid meet lowly Real Zaragoza looking to bounce back from their Copa del Rey exit, as Barcelona take on Villarreal.

With speculation about in-fighting at the Santiago Bernabeu, Jose Mourinho and his men drew with rivals Barcelona in their Copa del Rey quarter-final second-leg, but were eliminated as a result.

Their form in the league has been excellent, with four consecutive wins putting them five points clear at the top.

In those four wins, they have netted 17 goals and conceded five, an impeccable record they will want to build on at home to bottom-placed Real Zaragoza on Saturday.

Cristiano Ronaldo (23 goals) has been the subject of jeering from his team’s fans despite his form, while Angel di Maria (13 assists) and Mesut Oezil (nine assists) have both been handy contributors.

Meanwhile, their cup conquerors Barcelona meet a Villarreal side coming off a rare win.

Coach Jose Francisco Molina, who took over at the helm of Villarreal on December 22, helped them end a run of 10 matches without a win with a 3-0 victory over fellow strugglers Sporting Gijon.

But, having moved out of the relegation zone, they take on the European champions, who have had Lionel Messi (22 goals and seven assists) finishing off the good work of Pep Guardiola’s star-studded line-up.

Valencia, who are third but a distant 14 points adrift of top, visit Campos de Sport de El Sardinero as they clash with Racing Santander.

In a round of what may be one-sided affairs, the closest could be the out-of-form Osasuna’s meeting with Atletico Madrid, who are two spots below them in eighth, on Monday.

After a bright start to the campaign, Osasuna are winless in their last six outings in all competitions.

Malaga will be out to end a similarly poor run when they host Sevilla on Sunday looking to end a seven-game winless streak.

Levante can consolidate fourth spot when they welcome Getafe to Estadi Ciutat de Valencia, while Espanyol host Mallorca.

Athletic Bilbao and Rayo Vallecano meet on Saturday, while Real Betis do battle with struggling Granada a day later.

On Sunday, a win for Sporting Gijon against Real Sociedad can help them out of the relegation zone.