Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Co prepare for Granada clash
Barcelona’s stars were out in force as Luis Enrique put the team through their paces ahead of their La Liga match against Grenada.
The Catalan side will welcome the team sitting rock bottom of the table and will anticipate a routine victory.
With Real Madrid two points clear at the summit, Lionel Messi and Co know three-points are a must to stay in touch at this early stage.
The Spanish champions have won three consecutive matches since losing 4-3 away from home to Celta Vigo.
Two 4-0 victories against Manchester City in the Champions League and Deportivo La Coruna domestically were followed up by a dramatic last-gasp triumph against Valencia.
Granada on the other hand are on a streak of their own, having gone without a win in their previous nine league outings.
Barcelona’s devastating frontline will be buoyed by this week’s news that Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar were all named on the Ballon d’Or shortlist.
The trio will be expecting to have plenty of chances against the leaky Granada defence which has conceded 23 goals in nine matches.
As it stands, Sevilla separate the two traditional Spanish superpowers with Atletico Madrid only one point behind Barcelona. All signs point to another thrilling race for the La Liga title with no room for error against lowly Grenada.
Ronaldo, Bale and Real teammates gear up for Alaves trip
Real Madrid’s big guns are back in training and ready to fire on all cylinders after being rested for their Copa del Rey victory.
Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema did not play a part in the 7-1 win against Cultural Leonesa but are expected to return for the Alaves match.
Zinedine Zidane’s side are sitting pretty at the summit of La Liga, leading Sevilla by one point.
They will be confident in at least maintaining their advantage when they visit Mendizorrotza Stadium to take on Alaves who currently lie in 13th.
Zidane will hope that despite significant alterations to the starting line-up, his team can continue their goal-scoring exploits.
In the thumping victory against Leonesa, both Alavaro Morata and Marcos Asensio scored twice to stake their claims for regular first-team action.
Real totally outclassed their third-tier opposition and even though there is still a second leg to be played, the result is beyond doubt.
Alaves will need to be at their best defensively this weekend as Real have scored 20 goals in their last four matches.
The absences of Luka Modric, Casemiro, Sergio Ramos and Dani Carvajal have done little to impede Zidane’s resurgent side.
Real have scored at least five goals in each of their last five matches against Alaves so will be expecting another entertaining showing today.