La Liga preview: Vallecano await Real juggernaut

Runaway leaders Real Madrid look set to collect another three points away to Rayo Vallecano in La Liga, as Barcelona visit Atletico Madrid.

Jose Mourinho’s Real lead the standings by 10 points from defending champions Barca, and are now heavy favourites to collect their first league title since 2008.

Real conceded late to draw 1-1 away to CSKA Moscow in the Champions League round-of-16 first leg last Tuesday.

They will still be expected to progress to the quarter-finals of the competition, but paid a price for their away goal at the Luzhniki Stadium.

Centre-forward Karim Benzema picked up a thigh injury just 16 minutes into the match, and is likely to be replaced by Argentina striker Gonzalo Higuain when Real make the short trip to Campo de futbol de Vallecas on Saturday.

Their hosts, Rayo, earned promotion to the top flight after finishing as runners-up in the Segunda Division last season.

They have made an encouraging start to life back among the elite, and sit eighth on the table, just one point outside the Europa League qualification places.

But despite having won their last three matches, Rayo will not be expected to trouble a rampant Real, who will be aiming for their ninth consecutive league victory.

Barcelona will also be in the Spanish capital this weekend, as they travel to face Atletico Madrid.

Pep Guardiola’s Barca issued a reminder of their considerable class with a 5-1 demolition of second-placed Valencia last week.

The title holders are more than capable of producing devastating performances, but have struggled to match their consistency of seasons past, leaving themselves trailing in Real’s wake.

They should be capable of overcoming an inconsistent Atletico, who sit sixth on the table despite having drawn their last three matches in the league.

In other fixtures, fourth-placed Athletic Bilbao will be expected to win away to struggling Villarreal, who are three points outside the relegation zone in 17th place.

Valencia can aim to recover from their thrashing at Camp Nou with a match at home to Sevilla.

Bottom side Real Zaragoza have a tough assignment away to ninth-placed Malaga, while a key relegation clash takes place when third-bottom Racing Santander host second-last Sporting Gijon.

Real Betis are at home to Getafe in a mid-table battle, while seventh plays fifth respectively when Levante travel to Espanyol.

Real Sociedad, 16th, will look to put distance between themselves and the drop zone when they play host to Mallorca.

And promoted Granada have a chance to improve on 15th place when they visit mid-table Osasuna.