Sunday's 1-1 draw at home to Malaga allowed FC Barcelona to close the gap at the top of the BBVA Primera Liga table to eight points and increase the pressure slightly on Jose Mourinho's side, amid worries that after showing an incredibly high physical level all season, some of the Madrid players are starting to show a lack of freshness on the pitch.

　　Although eight points is still a considerable advantage for Madrid, should Barcelona win at home to Granada this Tuesday, Madrid would kick off at relegation threatened Villarreal on Wednesday night just five points clear of their rivals and although Barca coach, Pep Guardiola continues to insist that the title is impossible for his side, Madrid are worried that Guardiola may just be bluffing.

　　Midfielder Lassana Diarra told sports paper AS that the dropped points were an irritation, but he remained calm at the prospect of a possible fightback.

　　Madrid coach, Jose Mourinho is also unlikely to be driven into panic measures for the Villarreal game, although he may opt to start with Gonzalo Higuain on the substitutes' bench and bring a midfielder such as Esteban Granero into his side.

　　Meanwhile Angel de Maria is still sidelined with a hamstring injury which has plagued him since the start of 2012.

　　Villarreal meanwhile go into the game just two days after appointing the experienced Miguel Angel Lotina as their third coach of the season.

　　Lotina, who has also worked with Osasuna, Real Sociedad, Espanyol, Celta Vigo and Deportivo la Coruna, replaces Jose Molina, who was sacked after a run of four defeats and one draw in the last five games. That poor form leaves Villarreal just three points above the relegation zone.

　　The brief of the new coach is clear, to avoid relegation and Lotina knows that starting with a win or even a draw against the league leaders would be the perfect way to start his reign and allow the Villarreal players to gain confidence.

　　Lotina has doubts over two of his most important players, Cani and Borja Valeero, both of whom ended Sunday's 1-0 defeat away to Levante with slight physical problems.