Barça must avoid a slip-up

BARCELONA welcome a dangerous Villarreal side to the Camp Nou today aware that their visitors have already taken points from both Real and Atletico this season.

The task is somewhat different for Real Madrid as they face the difficult conditions of an away trip to Osasuna today.

Osasuna are just one point above the relegation zone, but Real have only won once in their last five league visits to Pamplona and Osasuna also held Barca to a 0-0 draw earlier this season.

Madrid will at least be able to count of their lethal frontline of Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema – who have scored a combined 21 goals in their last five league games. However, Luka Modric is a doubt after being forced off with an ankle injury in Madrid’s 2-0 win over FC Copenhagen on Tuesday

Should Barça slip up, Atletico Madrid could move to the top of the table tomorrow when they host Valencia at the Vicente Calderon.

Atletico boss Diego Simeone had the luxury of resting a number of key players for Wednesday’s 2-0 win over Zenit St Petersburg.

The likes of Thibaut Courtois, Diego Godin and David Villa will return to the starting line-up, whilst Diego Costa will be looking to keep up his goal-a-game record in La Liga this season.– Sapa-AFP