Real Madrid coach Manuel Pellegrini insists they're not bothered about what La Liga leaders Barcelona are doing.

Barca, taking advantage of kicking off before Madrid for the third successive week, moved eight points clear with a 2-1 win over Getafe earlier on Saturday evening, but Pellegrini's men responded with a 3-0 defeat of Espanyol.

Knowing Barca have already been victorious before Madrid begin their match could be a distraction for the capital club, but Pellegrini claims his team are only concerned with their own efforts.

"There are 17 games left in the league and we're not focused on what Barcelona are doing," said Pellegrini, whose side are eight points clear of third-placed Valencia.

"We will see what happens, you cannot predict the future.

"The important thing is what we do and above all that we are focused on ourselves."