Real Madrid striker Gonzalo Higuain has urged his team-mates to show no let-up as they attempt to move a step closer to their first Primera Division title since 2008 with victory over neighbouring Rayo Vallecano on Sunday.

Madrid head into this weekend's matches with a 10-point lead over second-placed Barcelona at the top of the standings having won 18 of their last 19 matches in La Liga.

With Barca facing a tough trip to the capital this weekend to take on Atletico, Jose Mourinho's men could be in an even healthier position come Sunday night if they can defeat promoted Rayo, although Higuain is not expecting it to be easy.

"It will be a difficult game against a battling team who have good players. For a recently promoted side, the position they occupy in the table speaks very well of them,'' said the Argentina international of eighth-placed Rayo.

"We are also doing things quite well and we will try to continue along that line. There are 15 games to go and a lot of points. We still cannot relax and we must push more than ever to get this league title that we all want,'' he told Bwin.

Higuain could be in line to start against Rayo after Karim Benzema suffered an injury early on in Tuesday's Champions League 1-1 draw at CSKA Moscow.

Benzema was replaced by Higuain 15 minutes into the last-16 first leg in Russia and it remains to be seen how long the France international will be absent for.

Higuain needs six more goals to reach 100 for Madrid in competitive matches, but is in the midst of a barren spell that has seen him fail to net since the middle of January.

Nevertheless, the 24-year-old is refusing to panic, saying: "The objective of a striker is to score goals to help the team. If you don't do it you shouldn't fret about it, you need to stay calm, continue working and doing things as well as possible to help the team.''

Rayo have climbed into the top 10 on the back of successive victories over Real Zaragoza, Getafe and Levante - whom they beat 5-3 last time out - and they are now just two points behind fourth-placed Athletic Bilbao and the Champions League spots.

Rayo goalkeeper Joel said of Sunday's match: "We must be switched on from the first minute. Not because it's Madrid, but for our own good, so we can continue picking up points.''

Regarding the prospect of not facing Benzema, Joel added: "He's a great player, but Mourinho has many more alternatives. Higuain, Kaka, ''

Match

Hala Madrid!

free tickets issued to rayo supporters that are unemployed so as to beef up support for their team.
just as Mr Felix Mourinho said,I wish them the best and that they have a nice time but the score line must not be pleasing to them.
casillas
arbeloa ramos varane marcelo
alonso granero
kaka ozil ronaldo
higuain

Hala Maldrid

The ref is a joke. Pepe and Ramos should have been sent off.

Common vallecano

Val must win

Maldrid playing their usual karate

Val playing very impressive!

Cr7 nice goal

Comon val u can do it

Una dey see ball play?

Ref don start PDP

ronaldo is rude lol thats a cheeky goal back heel

The best football coach in the world--JOSE MOURINHO
The best striker in the world--CRISTIANO RONALDO
The best football team in the world--REAL MADRID
Haters, please acknowlegde the these facts and support the best.

The halmark of a champion, they did'nt play well today yet they won