Big games looming up for Barca and R Madrid

Both FC Barcelona and Real Madrid face difficult tests in the BBVA Primera Liga on Sunday as league leaders Barca travel to fourth place Villarreal, while Real Madrid entertain Sevilla.

Barca travel to a rival which three weeks ago looked a clear favorite to finish fourth in the BBVA Primera Liga and assure a place in next season's Champions League. However, a recent run of dropped points, including a 4-2 defeat to Sevilla last week, has seen that advantage cut to just six points.

Should Villarreal slip up again, both Sevilla and sixth place Athletic Club would start to believe in their options of sneaking ahead of the side coached by Marcelino Garcia.

Villarreal showed their defensive strength on Thursday when they drew 0-0 away to Bayer Leverkusen to book a place in the last eight of the Europa League and they will need to be at their best to keep out Barca.

The league leaders have not lost in a record 38 games and although Leo Messi said in midweek there was no use in collecting records without winning titles, the 106 goals he Luis Suarez and Neymar have scored between them appear to be a guarantee of silverware.

Meanwhile Gerard Pique and Claudio Bravo will return to the side following Tuesday's Champions League win at home to Arsenal.

Madrid are at home to Sevilla and Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane needs to see an improved display on last week's win away to Las Palmas.

He is likely to restore Tony Kroos, Marcelo and James Rodriguez to his side as he looks to find the right balance in midfield, while Karim Benzema can expect minutes as he looks to recover from injury.

Despite their fifth place in the league, Sevilla are the only side in La Liga without an away win this season; something that is hard to explain for a side with so much pace and talent.

Ever Banega is suspended for the game while winger, but if Sevilla can get anywhere near their best, Zidane could be in for another difficult night in the Santiago Bernabeu. Endi