Enjoying the role of this season s dominant force in La Liga, Real Madrid are doing all they can to leave Barcelona trailing in their wake.
Forced to settle for the runner-up spot in the title race for three consecutive seasons, Real apparently have no intention of finishing second best to arch-rivals Barca again in 2011/12.
Portuguese coach Jose Mourinho is enjoying his second season in charge at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, and the team are beginning to show the effects of his magic touch.
Real have embarked on a 13-match winning streak in all competitions, and lead the La Liga standings approaching the halfway point of the campaign.
Their 4-1 derby victory over Atletico Madrid last Saturday, coupled with Barca s shock 1-0 loss at Getafe, left Real six points clear of the defending champions at the top of the table.
It was the biggest margin between the teams in the league standings since Pep Guardiola took over as Barca coach in 2008.
The gap was closed on Tuesday when Barca defeated promoted Rayo Vallecano 4-0 at home, in a match brought forward due to the Champions League winners FIFA Club World Cup commitments.
Guardiola s men have a tricky assignment at home to fourth-placed Levante on Saturday, while Real travel to face Sporting Gijon.
Despite their apparent advantage, Real fullback Alvaro Arbeloa knows all too well how quickly things can change.
We re happy because we ve been doing a good job and that mentality is what s allowed us to win 13 straight games, Arbeloa said.
We re having a good run and must keep up the good work while never relaxing.
This is November and we must be patient because there are many league games yet to be played. We re not even close to winning any titles.
It doesn t matter what sort of cushion we have over the runners-up now because the league is far from over.
In other matches this weekend, third-placed Valencia will hope to stay in touch with the top two by beating Espanyol at home.
Bottom side Racing Santander host Villarreal without the services of coach Hector Cuper, who was sacked on Tuesday due to poor results.
In Sunday s fixtures, Atletico will look to recover from their chastening defeat away to rivals Real when they host Rayo.
Fifth-placed Malaga are away to Real Sociedad and Osasuna will be favourite in their match at home to Real Betis.
Mid-table Athletic Bilbao visit underperforming Mallorca, while promoted Granada await the visit of a struggling Real Zaragoza.
Finally, Europa League hopefuls Sevilla are at home to Getafe in the only match to be played on Monday.
