'Normal service' resumes for Real Madrid and Barca

With Levante finally surrendering their unbeaten record last Sunday and dropping to third place behind leaders Real Madrid and Barcelona, the Spanish league has a familiar look about it again.
 
Real Madrid start the weekend as leaders for the first time this season, one point ahead of Barcelona and two ahead of Levante, ahead of a strange midday kick-off time against Osasuna at the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday.
 
Meanwhile, Barcelona have a tough match night away to an Athletic Bilbao side unbeaten in nine matches.
 
Kick-off times have been a constant source of debate all season in La Liga as television stations dictate new schedules for Spaniards to adjust to.
 
The traditional 5pm kick-off on a Sunday no longer exists as games are spread across the weekend.
 
Real Madrid president Florentino Perez was one of the figures that initiated the change, citing time zones and Asia's TV viewers as important when selling the Real brand, so a midday kick-off should sit well with the management of the leaders.
 
On the pitch, Cristiano Ronaldo continues to score no matter what time the match is played.
 
On Wednesday night in the Champions League he reached 101 goals in only 105 matches in his Real Madrid career with a brace in the 2-0 away win at Lyon.
 
After the game, Ronaldo was quick to keep his feet on the ground and reluctant to discuss Madrid's rivalry with Barcelona.
 
"All goals are special, especially if they help the team to win matches," he said.
 
"It is not necessary to compare us with Barcelona. We're concentrating on our own games and the most important thing is to qualify (in the Champions League)."
 
However, comparisons between Ronaldo and Barcelona star Lionel Messi can be difficult to avoid.
 
On Tuesday night, also away in the Champions League, Messi grabbed a hat-trick as Barca beat Viktoria Plzen 4-0 to make it 202 goals in his 287-match Barcelona career.
 
For Messi it was business as usual, after three goals at home to Real Mallorca last Saturday, and with 13 goals he is the leading goalscorer in the league ahead of Ronaldo and his team-mate Gonzalo Higuain on 10 goals.
 
In other games, a Madrid derby between Getafe and Atletico Madrid sees both clubs in desperate need for points, with Getafe rock-bottom and their bigger neighbour struggling for form in 10th position.
 
On Saturday, Valencia beat city rivals Levante 2-0 away from home to go joint-second with Barcelona on 24 points and one point behind leaders Real Madrid.

Earlier, Sevilla goalkeeper Javi Varas once again proved the hero for his side in a 0-0 draw under torrential rain in Real Mallorca.
 
Betis vs Malaga match also ended in a goalless draw.
 
Sunday Fixtures:

Real Madrid v Osasuna (1100GMT), Zaragoza v Sporting Gijon (1500GMT), Granada v Racing Santander (1500GMT), Espanyol v Villarreal (1700GMT), Rayo Vallecano v Real Sociedad (1700GMT), Athletic Bilbao v Barcelona (1900GMT), Getafe v Atletico Madrid (2100GMT)

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