Hugo Sanchez became a legend at Real Madrid in seven trophy-laden seasons, but the Mexican will put sentiment aside when his Almeria side look for a first ever win at the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday. The former striker starred for Los Merengues between 1985 and 1992, winning five league titles and four Pichichi crowns, but now he wants to get one over on his old club.

"It will be emotional to return to Real Madrid but I have to put my job first and we will go for the three points," said Sanchez. "I would like to make Almeria history by winning at the Bernabeu for the first time."

The only problem for Sanchez, and Almeria, is that Real can afford no slip-ups as they look to close the six-point gap on leaders Barcelona. Juande Ramos's side may have crashed out of Europe recently, but they have won 11 of their last 12 games to stay on Barça's.

French midfielder Lassana Diarra believes Real are capable of winning all their remaining fixtures to snatch La Liga gold. "There is a positive atmosphere in the squad," he said.

Our goal is to win the title by winning every game. I think we can catch up with Barcelona.
Real Madrid's Lassana Diarra

"Our goal is to win the title by winning every game. We are very much alive and I think we can catch up with Barcelona. I am convinced we are capable of winning all our matches."

Pep decisions
Having halved a one-time 12-point gap to Barcelona, Real have just the league on which to focus, while their arch-rivals must also give attention to the Copa del Rey final and the UEFA Champions League. Pep Guardiola, coach of the Catalan giants, rested Samuel Eto'o and Thierry Henry last weekend in the 2-0 win over Almeria as he tries to keep his stars fresh for the key final few months of the season.

Bojan Krkic, 18, scored both goals against Almeria, but he admitted it is difficult to force his way into Barcelona's star-studded line-up. "It is not easy to get a game when you have Eto'o, (Lionel) Messi and Henry in front of you. They are three of the best players in the world," he said.

Malaga are the visitors at Camp Nou on Sunday, and are looking to claim another big scalp. The promoted side have surprised everyone this season, and are only two points off the Champions League spots.

Atletico Madrid are level on points with Malaga after a morale-boosting 3-2 win over Villarreal last time out, and aim to build on that success at strugglers Real Mallorca on Sunday. Uruguayan international Diego Forlan has scored more than any other player in 2009, with nine league goals taking his tally to 19 - just four behind La Liga's leading marksman, Eto'o.

I am quite far away (from Eto'o) and I don't really set targets. I just keep on working hard.
Atletico Madrid's in-form Diego Forlan on his challenge to finish above Samuel Eto'o as La Liga's top scorer

"I didn't expect to score so many goals in Spain because it is a tough league," confessed Forlan. "I am quite far away (from Eto'o) and I don't really set targets. I just keep on working hard."

Fight on for top-four finish
Villarreal need to make amends for the defeat by Atletico when they host Athletic Bilbao on Saturday. Meantime, Sevilla, positioned in third, six points ahead of Villarreal, want to consolidate this advantage at home to Valladolid.

For Valencia, the Champions League dream is rapidly disappearing with the 2004 Spanish champions falling five points off the top four after one win in their last eight league matches. Unai Emery's side travel to an improving Racing Santander outfit on Sunday needing a win to take the spotlight off their well-publicised financial problems.

Osasuna and Espanyol have other troubles as they fight to stay in the top flight, and the two bottom sides meet in a crucial relegation showdown. The Catalans prop up the table, four points behind Sunday's opponents.


Predictor
Barcelona-Malaga, Tottenham Hotspur-Chelsea and Roma-Juventus are among the matches on the FIFA World Leagues Predictor's Round 28 menu. If you haven't already, be sure to sign up and take a shot at winning this weekend's prize.