Can Real Madrid Cut into Barcelona's Five Point Lead?

Looking at the match schedule for La Liga this weekend, it appeared Barcelona had a guaranteed victory. Pep Guardiola's side would travel to El Molinon Stadium to face Sporting Gijon, who is in the 15th position in La Liga.

Jose Mourinho's squad appeared to have a more difficult task, traveling to Catalonia to face Espanyol.

To the surprise of many, Barcelona was only able to take home one point from their match on Saturday night.

With that result, Real Madrid had another boost of confidence going into their match on Sunday. Things did not start off too well for them, as Casillas was sent off in the early minutes on what appeared to be an arguable call.

Although down to 10 men, an unlikely source put Madrid ahead when Marcelo gave them the lead. That was all Real needed to secure the three points and move within five points of the Blaugrana.

What does this mean for the remainder of the 2010/2011 La Liga campaign?

One guarantee is that it will be an exciting title race until the end. Many critics and supporters have been quick to award the title to Barcelona, but there's one thing we cannot forget:

You can't count out Jose Mourinho.

Not only does Real Madrid have possibly one of the greatest masterminds and tacticians the game has ever seen, but they also have the firepower in their roster to beat anyone on any given day.

We have also learned over the years that Jose Mourinho's teams do not lose at home. Obviously it's possible, but he hasn’t lost a match at home since his early days with FC Porto in 2002. 

With 15 matches remaining in the La Liga fixture list, it is clearly much too early to rule out Real Madrid. Both teams will square off with each other for the final of the Spanish Cup, which is something that hasn’t happened in years.

Can that match be a turning point for the remainder of the season?

They will also lock horns again on April 17th for the League campaign at the magnificent Bernabeu Stadium. Between now and then, both teams will play eight La Liga matches.

Who will be sitting atop the Spanish League by the time that game comes around? Will there be key injuries to any important players for either team? 

It all remains to be seen. Mourinho and Real Madrid fans will be anxiously waiting to see if Los Merengues can celebrate their 32nd La Liga title after their last match at home against Almeria.