Real Madrid can go top in Spanish soccer

Real Madrid hope to complete a remarkable recovery and go top of La Liga Saturday, by beating mid-table Granada at home. Two weeks ago Real were five points behind joint leaders Barcelona and Atletico Madrid.

However, the top two have both dropped four points in their last two games - whilst Real have put together their best winning streak of the season.

"2014 has started in the perfect way for me and for the team," said Real's idol Cristiano Ronaldo Wednesday.

Ronaldo was given the prestigious Ballon d'Or award 10 days ago and since then has not stopped scoring.

"Now we want to win again and get on top of the table...Personally, I am not going to rest on my laurels. I want more, for Madrid and for Portugal. The Ballon d'Or is not the end for me," he said.

Meanwhile, Granada's Moroccan striker Youssef El Arabi said: "We will give our maximum Saturday. We will face a great team, but we will do our best to make things difficult for them."

Sunday will see Barcelona at home to Malaga and Atletico away to lowly Rayo Vallecano.

Barca coach Gerardo Martino will again be unable to call on striker Neymar, out for another three weeks with an ankle sprain.

Also Sunday, fourth-placed Athletic Bilbao will visit Osasuna, while Almeria take on Getafe.

The 21st round of games will start Friday with Celta Vigo at home to bottom team Real Betis.

In addition to the Real-Granada clash, Saturday will see Valladolid v Villarreal, Valencia v Espanyol and Sevilla v Levante, with Real Sociedad hosting Elche Monday.