Marcelo has backed team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo to continue to score the goals to fire Real Madrid to the Primera Division title.

Madrid travel to Pamplona to take on sixth-placed Osasuna on Saturday looking to maintain their six-point lead over Barcelona at the top of the table.

The hosts are still very much in the race for Champions League qualification but Jose Mourinho's men are unbeaten in their last 19 away games in all competitions, dating back to September.

The latest was a 3-0 Champions League win over APOEL Nicosia in Cyprus, a rare game in which Ronaldo did not score.

But the Portuguese has already netted 35 times in the league this season, becoming the fastest player to 100 goals in La Liga when he reached 101 in just his 92nd game in last weekend's 5-1 success over Real Sociedad, and left-back Marcelo feels there are plenty more to come.

"Cristiano has already made history at Real Madrid,'' the Brazilian was quoted as saying by Madrid's official website.

"Now he has 35 goals and there are still nine games to finish the league. Hopefully he can score a lot more and help us win trophies.''

Madrid's win over Sociedad came after consecutive 1-1 draws in the league which let Barca back into the title race, and Marcelo knows how important another three points in Pamplona, where they have failed to win on any of their three previous trips, will be.

"It's always difficult to play there,'' he added.

"We have a lot of respect for Osasuna and we will go there to play our own game and try to win.

"We're doing fine and should carry on as we are. It will be very, very difficult because it is a tough place to go, but we will give everything to get the three points.''

Osasuna too have plenty to play for, though, as their 2-0 win over fellow Champions League contenders Levante last time out left them just four points off fourth-placed Malaga.

And captain Patxi Punal, whose side have already beaten Barca this term, is aiming to give Madrid an uncomfortable evening.

He told Osasuna's official website: "The pressure is on them, but I think they are used to playing with pressure. They know they will face difficult opponents that will make them uncomfortable, run and press a lot.

"They know it is not easy to win games. At home teams are well prepared to counter their football and, although it is difficult, it is not impossible.''

Nino scored his first goal in five months in the win over Levante and that should be enough to see him retain his place in attack, but coach Jose Luis Mendilibar will be forced into at least one change as Marc Bertran has been ruled out with a muscle injury.

For Madrid, Kaka could be handed a start after impressing after coming off the bench in the win over APOEL.

Madrid thrashed Osasuna 7-1 at the Bernabeu in November, with Ronaldo scoring a hat-trick.

Match

real had better win or else barca will make em cry

I know madrid will have a whole lots of excuses to make after the game.Pamplona is a very hostile ground to grab 3 points,hence madrid will be happy with a point.you cant miss this game for anything.

Lets just hope Benzema passes tha ball a little more

Realmadrid players have admitted its not going to be easy tonight when they face osasuna at pamplona. Osasuna is a stubborn team capable of causing problems for any team, even barcelona.
Madrid will have to up their game if they want to leave the pitch today smilling. I learnt Angel di Maria is in the squad to feature today! Goodnews for us because we've really missed his quality on the right flank. Realmadrid all the way!

Another win for Madrid. UP MADRID

5:1 hahahahahahahahahahhahaha

@ogazi007
See football at its best. Osasuna 1- Real Madrid 5. Real Madrid is respectful and respect their opponents. This should not be translated to mean excuses. It pays to be humble. Up Real Madrid.

so we close the month with at least a 6 points cushion.
congrats.