"Time to put pressure on Barça and Atlético"

Real Madrid's next fixture is again marked in red on the calendar in the dressing room. Not, on this occasion, because of going up against arch rivals Barcelona or Atlético, but because it is down to play 24 hours before its rivals.

For the first time so far in this season's la Liga, 'Los Blancos' could take over at the top of the league table, putting yet more pressure on the 'Rojiblancos' and 'Azulgranas'.

"We have to make the most of this opportunity and win to put some pressure on the leaders" said Álvaro Arbeloa after the Copa match against Espanyol, convinced of his team's ability to move ahead of one of the other title rivals.

Real Madrid is scheduled to face Granada on Saturday at four in the afternoon, while Atlético will play in Vallecas on Sunday at seven. And two hours later it will be Barça in the hot seat, hosting Malaga at Camp Nou.

At face value, and based on the current performances of the top three league sides, it looks likely that Real Madrid, Barça and Atlético will each go away with three points, but Real want to see how the 'Rojiblancos' and 'Azulgranas' handle pressure. Bearing in mind that just two weeks ago, the 'Los Blancos' team was trailing the leaders by five points.

Real has kicked off the start of the year by taking things up a notch and is hoping to capitalise on its excellent form.