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Real and Barcelona face tricky trips to La Liga high-flyers

League leaders Real Madrid and second-placed Barcelona both have tricky away hurdles to overcome today when they travel to high-flying Espanyol and Villarreal respectively.

Champions Real have collected 19 points from a possible 21 this season but new coach Bernd Schuster is still coming in for criticism with the fans left unimpressed by some workmanlike displays.

A testing trip to fifth-placed Espanyol, who have already defeated title hopefuls Sevilla and Valencia this season, is up next for Real who are frantically trying to assimilate their players returning from international duty.

Real striker Raul has been making the headlines throughout the week with national coach Luis Aragones again excluding him from the Spain squad despite losing first choice attackers Fernando Torres and David Villa to injury.

"Everyone knows my ambition to play for Spain and Real but talking about it does not help," Raul said.

Raul won the last of his 102 caps back in September last year but has not been recalled despite a resurgence of form this season. Schuster may secretly be happy as he continues to shine for Real without the extra demands of international soccer.

Barcelona, two points behind Real, also have their work cut out today when they travel to Villarreal who are just two points back in third.

Barcelona have won their last four matches with Argentine Lionel Messi at the heart of some breathtaking soccer.

"Lionel is the best in the world at the moment," said Barcelona captain Xavi. "It is incredible how he dribbles at such speed."

"He is only 20 so he is going to get better. The only shame is he is not Spanish," he said.

Barcelona have been hit harder than most due to international commitments and manager Frank Rijkaard will be concerned that Messi, Brazilian Ronaldinho, Mexico forward Giovani and Argentine defender Gaby Milito could be jetlagged after clocking up 96,000 km of travelling time between them.

However Barcelona will have one player in form with French international Thierry Henry on a high after scoring his 43rd goal for France to become his country's all-time top-scorer bettering Michel Platini's tally of 41.

Another bonus for Barcelona is that Villarreal must do without the services of top-scorer Giuseppe Rossi with the Italian striker suspended after collecting five yellow cards.

"I was excited about facing Barcelona and have to apologize for collecting so many yellow cards," lamented Rossi. "Five is too many and I am well aware of that."

After four straight defeats Sevilla are desperate to get back to winning ways today when they travel to bottom side Levante, who have just one point from seven games.

Despite trailing leaders Real by 13 points Sevilla defender Ivica Dragutinovic believes the UEFA Cup holders, third last season, can still challenge for the title.

"The league is not lost yet and we have to believe that," Dragutinovic said. "We will come out of this bad patch because we have quality. We just need one good result."
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