GOAL

Real Madrid defender Alvaro Arbeloa is confident they can still catch Barcelona in the race for the Liga title as he feels the Catalans have a tougher schedule in the remainder of the season.

The defender feels the Catalans have a difficult run-in and is hopeful Carlo Ancelotti's men can take advantage and leapfrog them in the table

The Santiago Bernabeu side have fallen four points behind the Catalans in the table with nine games to go.

Both teams face touch challenges against the likes of Sevilla and Valencia between now and the end of the campaign, but Barca must take on Atletico Madrid in the Vicente Calderon, and the full-back believes the Blaugrana will slip up.

"Barcelona have a tougher schedule than we have," Arbeloa told reporters.

"We aim to win all our remaining games. That is our goal, even though we know it will not be easy.

"Sometime you spill points when you least expect it.

"We have two important games in La Liga coming up before the Champions League match versus Atletico Madrid.

"We want to head into that game in good form, so we must beat Rayo Vallecano and Eibar.

"The 9-1 win over Eibar was a big boost. It has helped us focus."

Carlo Ancelotti's men travel to Rayo on Wednesday, before hosting Eibar on Saturday.