Real keeps an eye on Barca lead

Agence France-Presse

Real already trails Barcelona by six points and under-fire coach Bernd Schuster will be aware that his side can't afford to fall further behind.

Fourth-placed Real is at home to Sevilla, which is fifth with only two points behind it, on Sunday as it bids to get last weekend's 3-1 derby defeat to Getafe out of its system.

"You have to bear in mind that there are lots of points left in the season," said Real captain Raul. "We like difficult challenges and we are not going to hide." Sevilla, thrashed 3-0 by Barcelona last time out, has only lost once on its travels and will be looking to take advantage of a Real team depleted by injuries.

Gabriel Heinze, Pepe, Wesley Sneijder, Ruud van Nistelrooy, Mahamadou Diarra and Miguel Torres are all sidelined with Ruben de la Red also missing through health reasons.

"These things sometimes happen. It is just bad luck," said Italian center-half Fabio Cannavaro.

The gravity of the situation has persuaded Schuster to go out and sign Ajax striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, who is out with an ankle injury, for 20 million euros with the Dutch international signing until 2013.

Barcelona, unbeaten since an opening day loss to Numancia, is flying at the top and knows three points at home to Valencia on Sunday would pile the pressure on Real for 'El Clasico' the following week.

Last December Real beat Barca 1-0 to move seven points clear at the top and its rival never recovered. The tables have now been turned and Barca will be hoping to take a giant step towards the title.

"I knew the team was capable of playing like we are doing now," said French forward Thierry Henry. "However, Valencia has a good defense and have not lost away from home so we will have to be at our best."

Valencia lies third, five points behind Barcelona and this appears a perfect opportunity to lay down a title marker.

Villarreal is a point above Valencia in second and on Saturday it hosts Getafe who seems to relish playing against the top sides having beaten Real and drawn 1-1 with Barca.

With four out of the top five in action against each other Atletico Madrid hopes to make up ground at promoted Sporting Gijon.