Madrid: Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid will try to keep their title hopes alive when they meet in the city derby this weekend.
The losers at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium on Saturday are likely to lose even more ground to leaders Barcelona, virtually ending their chances of winning the Spanish league title.
Atletico are eight points behind Barcelona, while Real Madrid are nine points back going into the 26th round. Barcelona, unbeaten in 33 games in all competitions, hosts fifth-place Sevilla on Sunday.
Real Madrid and Atletico are coming off disappointing draws in the league, but the game at the Bernabeu should give Madrid an edge as they have won seven straight at home, outscoring opponents 37-7.
Real Madrid's last setback at the Bernabeu was the 4-0 defeat to Barcelona, which eventually led to the replacement of coach Rafa Benitez by Zinedine Zidane.
Atletico can take comfort by having won the last two league games against Real Madrid at the Bernabeu.
The first Madrid derby this season ended in a 1-1 draw at Atletico's Vicente Calderon Stadium.
"It will be a great derby," Atletico Madrid defender Filipe Luis said. "Real Madrid is very strong when playing at home, but we are one of the best teams in the league when playing away. We know it's going to be a game decided by details. We have to be as prepared as ever."
Here are other things to watch at the Spanish league this weekend:
RONALDO'S STREAK
Cristiano Ronaldo has thrived at the Santiago Bernabeu, scoring seven goals in his last three games at the stadium.
He scored two goals in the 4-2 win over Athletic Bilbao, three in the 6-0 rout of Espanyol and two again in the 5-1 victory over Sporting Gijon.
The Portuguese striker also scored in the 1-1 draw at Malaga last weekend, but he missed a first-half penalty kick when Madrid were leading 1-0.
"It is an important game, at home, in front of the fans, against a tough opponent that defends well," Ronaldo said in comments published on the team's website. .-[/"It is a game that we have to win, and go into strong. We know that La Liga is difficult but we need to fight until the end."
ATLETICO'S DROUGHT
Atletico Madrid have been playing well on defense again, but the offense has hit a standstill. The team has scored only one goal in its last three matches.
They are coming off scoreless draws against Villarreal in the Spanish league and at PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League.
"I'm satisfied because I see that we are creating scoring opportunities and that we are attacking," coach Diego Simeone said. "The goal will come, we have to keep insisting."
BENZEMA'S RETURN:
Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema will likely return to the starting lineup in the derby on Saturday.
Benzema missed last Sunday's 1-1 draw at Malaga because of a back problem, but he trained again with the rest of the squad this week.
The French striker has scored 19 goals in 19 games in the Spanish league this season.
BARCELONA'S NEMESIS:
Barcelona will try to increase its lead against Sevilla, the last team to defeat the defending champions.
After the 2-1 loss at Sevilla in the league's seventh round in October, Barcelona have gone on a 33-game unbeaten streak.
The game at the Camp Nou will be a preview of the Copa del Rey final the teams will play on May 22.
With Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar thriving, Barcelona will be looking to win their ninth game in a row at the Camp Nou, where their last setback was a 2-2 draw against Deportivo La Coruna in December.
Sevilla are unbeaten in seven league games.
NEVILLE'S RUN:
Valencia will be trying to win three league games in a row for the first time this season when they host Athletic Bilbao on Sunday.
Gary Neville's team has won two consecutive matches after 12 straight games without a victory in the league.
Another good result at their Mestalla Stadium could move the club into the top half of the standings. They are currently 11th with 31 points from 25 games.
UNBEATEN VILLARREAL:
Fourth-place Villarreal have a chance to move closer to the leaders when they hosts second-to-last-place Levante on Sunday.
The team held Atletico Madrid to a 0-0 draw at the Vicente Calderon Stadium in the previous round, and they hasn't lost in 12 consecutive league games.
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