Real Madrid captain Iker Casillas believes this season's title battle is a three horse race. Real trail leaders Barcelona by eight points.

And Casillas says: "For the Liga we must recognise the numbers and if now Barca, Atletico Madrid and Malaga are ahead it is because they have done better. But there remains many days ahead.

"We cannot lose more points. We should not rule out Atletico Madrid.

"It's not surprising that Atletico is up there. Since Diego Simeone arrived he has given them a good mentality and I think they can be up there fighting for the title."