La Liga Preview: José Mourinho Looking To Close the Gap Further

Real Madrid vs. Levante

Real Madrid managed to close the gap on Barcelona last weekend with the victory over Espanyol. José Mourinho's men will be looking to continue that once again with a victory over Levante, but it is easier said than done because Levante are in the form of their life.

They have won their last three matches, and this has helped them move away from the bottom of the table to 15th position in the La Liga standings. Even though they have done admirably to do such a thing, they still remain just two points from the relegation zone and Luis García will be looking to produce the Villarreal result once again.

However, repeating the result of their away victory against Villarreal will be extremely difficult given that Mourinho's side rarely lose at home. Mourinho will be completing a record nine years without a home defeat if he manages to avoid defeat at the hands of Levante.

He will be slightly weakened by the absence of Iker Casillas after the Real Madrid captain was sent off in the match against Espanyol. Real Madrid will also be having one eye on the Champions League knockout round mid-week.

Real Zaragoza vs. Atletico Madrid

Atletico Madrid will be going into the match against Real Zaragoza in the worst possible manner after they have lost their last five matches without exception. It started with the loss against Real Madrid and it has been downhill for Quique Sánchez Flores's men since.

Getting a result at "La Romareda" is anything but easy after Zaragoza are good at home, despite the fact that they are struggling down at the foot of the table. Just one point separates Zaragoza from going into the relegation zone. Javier Aguirre will be looking to take their form from their last two matches into fighting for the victory in this one.

The current 11th position in the La Liga standings for Atletico Madrid is something of a flattering position after the team's form demands them to be in the bottom of the table. Madrid will be fast progressing to the bottom end of the table should their poor form continue against Zaragoza.

Javier Aguirre will be able to field a full strength squad, while Atletico Madrid are suffering from poor form for Diego Forlan, who has not been able to replicate his form of the last few seasons.

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