Real Madrid host Malaga at the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday looking for a win that would keep pressure on Barcelona in the race for La Liga glory.
With two points separating them, Carlo Ancelotti's side could potentially move top should the Catalans slip up against top-four hopefuls Valencia in the day's earlier clash.
Real Madrid
Losing 2-1 to Barcelona last month seems to have given Carlo Ancelotti's side a wake-up call at just the right time. That defeat - their sixth in the league this season - put them four points behind the Catalans in what many believed was the defining moment in the title race.
However, the Blancos have responded brilliantly to that setback, winning their subsequent three games in a run of form that has seen them cut the deficit to just two points ahead of the final seven games.
They took their El Clasico frustrations out on poor Granada in the next fixture, with Cristiano Ronaldo netting no fewer than five goals in a 9-1 win.
It was a message that would have been received loud and clear nearly 400 miles away in Catalunya and, by 9pm on Saturday, it is not inconceivable that Real could be top, with Barcelona hosting top-four hopefuls Valencia in the earlier kickoff.
Beating Malaga - who sit seventh in La Liga - could prove a little more tricky than it seems on paper, however, with Ancelotti's charges drawing 0-0 at Atletico Madrid in Tuesday's first leg of their Champions League quarter-final.
That result will have dampened the mood in the camp, given how dominant they were for large spells, and there is always the risk of a knock-on effect when sides resume domestic duties after disappointing European outings.
Victory is essential, though, and with a first Liga title since 2012 up for grabs, there is simply no margin for error against Javi Gracia's side.
Recent form: LWLWWW
Recent form (all competitions): WLWWWD
Malaga
Having won just three of their last 10 league outings, you could say that Malaga have few reasons to be cheerful as they prepare to visit the home of the reigning European champions.
Given that one of those victories came at Barcelona, though, Gracia's men remain a side to be cautious of regardless of their struggles in recent months.
Los Boquerones come into this one without a win in three, with their Europa League qualification bid suffering as a result, but that win at Camp Nou on February 21 will have given the visitors hope that they can spring a similar upset at the Bernabeu.
Defeat could effectively end their hopes of qualifying for Europe, too, with five points separating them from Villarreal in the second and final Europa League spot.
It has been a testing last few months in a season that promised much better at one stage, with a five-game winning streak during October and November putting them in contention for Champions League qualification.
Still, they do not have an overly daunting run of fixtures after leaving Madrid, and a positive result in the capital may prove the foundations for what still can be a successful maiden season for Gracia.
Recent form: LWLDLD
Team News
Ancelotti will find himself with a selection dilemma on Saturday.
With Wednesday's second leg with Atletico delicately poised, the Italian may be tempted to rest some of his star names as he looks to maintain the balance between domestic and European aspirations.
However, Karim Benzema is among the big names expected to return, with the Frenchman, along with Gareth Bale, sitting out last week's 3-0 win over Eibar.
The former Lyon hitman has netted eight times in 12 games against the Andalusians.
Meanwhile, Malaga defender Weligton Oliveira will sit out the trip to the capital after picking up his 10th yellow card of the campaign in the 2-2 draw with Atletico last time out.
Real Madrid's possible starting lineup:
Casillas; Arbeloa, Ramos, Pepe, Marcelo; Silva, Illarramendi, Isco; Ronaldo, Benzema, Bale
Malaga's possible starting lineup:
Kameni; Rosales, Sanchez, Miguel Torres, Boka; Darder, Recio; Samuel, Amrabat, Castillejo; Juanmi
Head To Head
There is a relatively one-sided history to this fixture, with Real winning 20 of their last 23 meetings in all competitions. Malaga's last victory came in a 3-2 home win back in October 2012, but they have lost their last four.
We say: Real Madrid 3-0 Malaga
While Ancelotti's men will be wary of Malaga, having beaten Barcelona a couple of months ago, the hosts should most definitely have more than enough firepower to dispatch Gracia's side in what should be a comfortable home win.
