Barcelona’s turn at the top of La Liga after a 0-1 victory over Espanyol early on Saturday, Messi scoring from the penalty spot, his 36th goal of the season. Real and Atl’etico play later in the evening.

Real Madrid suffered their second defeat of the week and slipped to third place in La Liga after losing 2-1 at Sevilla.

A ‘clasico’ with plenty of excitement, loads of goals, three penalties, a lot of simulation to get free kicks and a hat-trick for Lionel Messi, Barcelona coming out on top 3-4.

Two first half goals from Camacho were enough to se the Blue and Whites past Celta de Vigo on Saturday afternoon and give them a bit of breathing space. They are now six ponts clear of the drop zone.

A hat-trick from Messi and goals from Sanchez, Inesta, Tello and Pedro gave Barcelona a 7-0 victory over Osasuna on Sunday afternoon and keeps them in the title hunt. They are four points adrift of Real and just one behind Atlético.

A twenty-third minute goal from Cristiano Ronaldo was enough to see Real Madrid safely past Málaga at La Rosaleda and the victory maintains their position at the top of La Liga.

Real Madrid are three pints clear of Atlético and four ahead of Barcelona after this weekend’s games having beaten Levante 3-0.

Barcelona did their title chances no good at all after losing 1-0 to Real Valladolid on Saturday, slipping down to third place in La Liga in the process.

A dream start for Real Madrid in their local derby with Atlético, Benzema finding the net after just three minutes, but by half time it was the visitors who were in the lead through Koke and Gabi.

The Blue and Whites could only draw 1-1 with fellow strugglers Real Valladolid on Saturday. Santa Cruz gave Málaga an early lead but Larsson equalised on the half hour mark and that’s the way it stayed.