La Liga preview: Real look to extend lead

Real Madrid will look to extend their lead at the top of La Liga when they travel to face Mallorca, while Barcelona host Real Betis.

Jose Mourinho’s league leaders Real increased their advantage to five points following a 5-1 win at home to Granada last week, as reigning champions Barca were held 1-1 against local rivals Espanyol.

Karim Benzema struck a brace, while Cristiano Ronaldo, Gonzalo Higuain and Sergio Ramos all netted in the hefty victory at Santiago Bernabeu.

Real will be without injured midfielder Sami Khedira for their trip to the Iberostar Stadium.

The Germany holding player is set for an indefinite period on the sidelines after suffering ankle ligament damage during a 1-0 Copa del Rey victory over Malaga on Tuesday.

It remains to be seen what impact the absence of Khedira will have on Real’s title challenge in the coming months, but they are unlikely to be unduly troubled on Saturday against a team sitting 14th on the table.

Mallorca have managed just one win in their last five league matches, but they can take confidence from a 6-1 thrashing administered to Real Sociedad in the Copa del Rey on Wednesday.

Barcelona joined Mallorca in the tournament’s quarter-finals after defeating Osasuna 2-1 on Thursday.

A 6-1 aggregate victory earned Barca an enticing last-eight tie against holders Real, but for now the focus is back on league matters, with promoted club Real Betis the La Liga champions’ next opponents.

Betis have acquitted themselves well so far during their first season back in the top flight, but they will be hard pressed to prevent Barca from hitting back after their frustrating draw with Espanyol.

In other matches, third-placed Valencia, who are four points back from Barca, will look to keep pace with the top two for as long as possible in the second half of the campaign.

Unai Emery’s team host Real Sociedad on Saturday, and are likely to fancy their chances against the 16th-placed club.

Also on Saturday, two promoted teams clash when Rayo Vallecano visit Granada.

Rock bottom Real Zaragoza will be desperate for points at home to mid-table Getafe and seventh meets eighth respectively when Sevilla host Espanyol.

On Sunday, third-bottom Villarreal visit Atletico Madrid and fifth-placed Osasuna await the arrival of Racing Santander, who are just one point and one place clear of the drop zone.

Finally, high-flying Levante, who are fourth, travel to take on mid-table Athletic Bilbao, while sixth-placed Malaga go to second-bottom Sporting Gijon.