HAROLD HECKLE
Associated Press
MADRID (AP) — Real Madrid and Barcelona have been in scorching scoring form lately, and more can be expected this week in the Spanish league.
Madrid, which scored nine goals in last two matches, will host Elche on Tuesday. Way back in February 1960, Madrid routed Elche 11-2, the largest margin of victory in league history.
Barcelona has scored seven goals in its previous two matches and next visits Malaga on Wednesday.
Here are some things to know about this week’s matches:
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SPOILED FOR CHOICE
Another convincing win looks within Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti’s grasp, especially considering that Elche has lost 17 times and drawn three in 20 visits to the Santiago Bernabeu.
Although Madrid will be without Sami Khedira and Jese Rodriguez, Ancelotti has plenty of choices in attack after Javier “Chicarito” Hernandez scored two goals in his team’s 8-2 rout of Deportivo La Coruna.
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ON A ROLL
Barcelona travels to mid-table Malaga with four wins from four matches and sole possession of first place.
Although Lionel Messi missed a penalty in the team’s 5-0 rout of Levante, the Argentina star shrugged off that disappointment and inspired his team by setting up two goals before scoring his own.
The forward is on a roll and has been instrumental in nine of Barcelona’s 12 goals in five wins across all competitions, scoring three himself and providing six assists.
Malaga won its season-opener against Athletic Bilbao but has stumbled since, drawing 2-2 against Espanyol, 0-0 against Levante and losing 3-0 to Valencia.
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RAISING LEVANTE
Levante coach Jose Mendilibar will have to improvise in defense at Granada because Loukas Vyntra’s red card against Barcelona leaves him short of a vital central defender.
With David Navarro and Issam El Adoua injured, Mendilibar only has Hector Rodas available for that position against Granada, so he is likely to play 20-year-old midfielder Victor Camarasa deep to cover.
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SECURING SECOND
Sevilla coach Unai Emery hopes to secure second place in the league against Real Sociedad on Wednesday.
After a draw against Valencia in the season opener, Emery has led his team to victories against Espanyol, Getafe and Cordoba.
In his favor is that Sociedad fans are angry at coach Jagoba Arrasate after their team lost its chance at a berth in the Europa League and also lost to Almeria 2-1 at their Anoeta Stadium.
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