La Liga preview: Villarreal aim to close gap on Real

Third-placed Villarreal can close the gap on Real Madrid in second, when the two teams clash in the pick of the weekend’s La Liga action.

Real are coming off a rare loss, when their second string outfit lost 2-0 to Levante in the second leg of their Copa del Rey cup-tie after Jose Mourinho’s men won the first leg 8-0.

But a stronger side is expected to line up at the Bernabeu on Sunday as Real aim for their fifth consecutive league win to maintain the pressure on leaders Barcelona.

Pep Guardiola’s side are in action on Saturday, travelling to 12th-placed side Deportivo La Coruna.

The Spanish champions scraped through to the Copa del Rey quarter-finals in mid-week, courtesy of a rare Eric Abidal goal away to Athletic Bilbao to hand them the aggregate victory on away goals.

Brazilian defender Maxwell returned to the training track for Barcelona, after missing the 1-1 draw at Bilbao with a groin strain, and is in contention for the trip to Deportivo.

Fourth-placed Valencia travel to Levante on Sunday, with the 17th side in the La Liga standings sure to be buoyed by their 2-0 cup victory over Real Madrid.

They should also take heart from their 2-1 loss to Barcelona in the league on Sunday, pushing the champions all the way.

Espanyol will be hoping to arrest a run of three straight league defeats when they host relegation-placed Real Zaragoza on Sunday.

Mauricio Pochettino’s side is without a win in five games in all competitions, while Real’s only two losses in their past five have come at the hands of top sides.

Mallorca can rack up back-to-back wins for the first time since November when they host the struggling Almeria, who occupy 19th spot on the table.

Osasuna have won once in their past seven league matches – a 1-0 win over cellar-dwellers Sporting Gijon – and host the seventh-placed Getafe on Sunday.

Racing Santander will host the bottom side, aiming to extend their three-game unbeaten streak in the league to climb from 14th position.

Malaga host Athletic Bilbao, and Real Sociedad welcome 10th-placed Sevilla in other action on Saturday.

Hercules will face Atletico Madrid in the only La Liga fixture scheduled for Monday.