Chelsea vs Middlesbrough Online Live - EPL Preview

Chelsea vs Middlesbrough Online Live Preview

Chelsea coach Avram Grant does not believe captain John Terry needs a rest despite a number of unforced errors in recent games.

The defender, who has come under fire after mistakes for both club and country in recent weeks, is set to start against Middlesbrough after recovering from the minor hamstring problem that forced him to leave the field at half-time against France in midweek.

But Grant insists Terry was one of his star performers in last Sunday's 2-1 Barclays Premier League victory over title rivals Arsenal at Stamford Bridge.

"Against Arsenal he was one of our best players,'' declared Grant. "Emmanuel Adebayor didn't create even one chance against him.

"Sometimes mistakes happen but I didn't see the England game. I have a problem with these friendly games. They're not for judging results, but other things. In the last match, I was very happy with John Terry.''

Grant's only other worry ahead of the visit of Middlesbrough to Stamford Bridge is the fitness of Frank Lampard.

He missed England's game with France because of a stomach bug and the Blues boss confirmed the midfielder had not trained since he returned from international duty and is rated as highly doubtful.

New England coach Fabio Capello handed the captaincy to Rio Ferdinand on Wednesday but Grant believes there is still time for Terry to prove to the Italian that he is the man who should wear the armband on a permanent basis.

Liverpool vs Everton Online Live - EPL Preview

Liverpool vs Everton Online Live Preview

Rafael Benitez does not believe a Liverpool win in the 207th Merseyside derby will kill off Everton's Champions League challenge.

Liverpool go into the Anfield showdown with a two-point lead over fifth-placed Everton, and victory would stretch that margin to five points with just six games left.

But the Reds boss, who is boosted by the news that top scorer Fernando Torres will be fit for the game after a battering in the 3-0 defeat at Manchester United, expects Everton to fight to the very last.

He said: "I do not think that if we win it will finish off Everton's challenge for fourth spot.

"They have had a fine season and will keep going to the end. We expect that from David Moyes' teams.

"It means we must keep winning to make sure we are in the top four. A win and a five-point lead will be a good advantage but we have important games, especially away from home, so we know we must keep working hard.

"I enjoy derbies, big games, especially if you win. But we want to win and so do they, and these are the really important games that I enjoy being involved in.''

Liverpool turn their attention to the Champions League trip to Arsenal on Wednesday straight after the derby, and Benitez now plans to use his best side for the rest of the campaign.

Manchester United vs Aston Villa Online Live - EPL Preview

Manchester United vs Aston Villa Online Live Preview

Sir Alex Ferguson has derided international friendly matches as "a waste of time'' and "futile''.

The Manchester United manager is angry at losing Darren Fletcher for six weeks, starting with the home match against Aston Villa, after he sustained a knee ligament injury in midweek in Scotland's 1-1 draw with Croatia.

It was George Burley's first match in charge, but Ferguson took issue with the former Southampton manager at the length of game time Fletcher had.

"Darren should have played only 45 minutes, 60 minutes at most. But instead he was heading for a full game before he got injured,'' said the United boss.

"He had gone up to Scotland with a bad chest cold, which caused him to miss our last game (the 3-0 victory against Liverpool on Sunday).

"It is a bad blow losing Darren and again shows the futility of playing friendly games. It is crazy.

"Supporters will stop going anyway, given the kind of money they are paying and the kind of travelling they have to do.

"Every manager knows deep down these games are a waste of time.''

Rio Ferdinand will again marshal the back line at Old Trafford as United head into an important week at home and abroad.

They follow the Villa match by facing Roma in Italy on Tuesday in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-finals.

Bolton vs Arsenal Online Live - EPL Preview

Bolton vs Arsenal Online Live Preview

Bolton will be missing skipper Kevin Nolan through suspension for the visit of Premier League rivals Arsenal.

Nolan picking up his 10th booking of the season during last weekend's goalless home draw against Manchester City and begins a two-match ban.

Jamaica international defender Ricardo Gardner will be missing for at least a month after being carried off on a stretcher against Sven-Goran Eriksson's men with a broken rib.

He joins goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen (back) on the sidelines but midfielder Ivan Campo will feature following his apology to boss Gary Megson for storming down the tunnel after being substituted against City.

Chelsea vs Arsenal Online Live

Watch Chelsea vs Arsenal Online Live - EPL Preview

Chelsea will have to cast aside this season's unwanted reputation as big-game bottlers when they tackle Arsenal on Grand Slam Sunday.

Since Avram Grant took the helm in September, the Blues have failed to beat any of the top seven in league action and have collected just two points from their four meetings with the top four all season.

They also suffered Wembley heartache against Tottenham with a disappointing display in the Carling Cup final and crashed out of the FA Cup at Barnsley, leading some pundits to question Grant's ability to get the best out of his players in key fixtures.

But victory over bitter London rivals Arsenal on Sunday would silence the critics and see Chelsea climb above the Gunners into second place in the Premier League table.

Arsene Wenger's men have stuttered badly in recent weeks, with four successive draws seeing them go from five points ahead of Manchester United at the summit to three points adrift.

A fifth game without a victory would be another hammer blow to their title hopes, but the Gunners proved they have the appetite for the big occasion after seeing off European champions Milan 2-0 in Italy to progress to the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals.

Manchester United vs Liverpool Online Live

Watch Manchester United vs Liverpool Online Live - EPL Preview



With players of the calibre of Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney in your midst, you know your team will score goals and it's up to their colleagues to ensure they really count. With that in mind, Sir Alex Ferguson will hammer home the absolute importance of keeping a clean sheet to his side, despite his obvious appreciation of football's finer, attacking points.

The message will be clear: give nothing away because winning games 1-0 here and there will be the key to winning the title. That is the key to the consistency that he craves.

It might not be pretty, ladies and gentlemen, but if it yields victories in a decisive phase of the season then no one will complain. Ferguson certainly won't want his sides to have to chase games with a Champions League campaign still ongoing.

So, first and foremost, his team will be ordered to defend as a tight-knit group and when forays forward break down everyone - including Rooney and Ronaldo - will be expected to work back when they've lost the ball.

Discipline will be called for and, initially at least, there will be no gung-ho attacking.

Instead, the United players will be told to break down Liverpool in a systematic manner knowing that the likes of the wonderful Jamie Carragher will ensure they give nothing away.

The speculative, glory-hunting 30-yarders from Nani that left Ferguson exasperated against Bolton will be cut out.

Tottenham vs Chelsea Online Live - EPL

Watch Tottenham vs Chelsea Online Live - EPL Preview

Tottenham goalkeeper Paul Robinson has an ankle problem and is doubtful for the Barclays Premier League clash against Chelsea tomorrow.

Ledley King has recovered from a calf complaint but Robbie Keane has a knee injury, although Spurs are hopeful of him recovering.

Ricardo Rocha (groin) has been struggling, while Gareth Bale (foot) and Benoit Assou-Ekotto (knee) are out for the season.

Spurs defender Jonathan Woodgate believes Avram Grant's men will be seeking revenge for their Carling Cup defeat when the two sides meet again on Wednesday.

Chelsea need the points for their title bid, while Spurs are looking to bridge the gap with 10th place and eventually break into the top half for the first time this season.

Woodgate, who scored the winner at Wembley against the Blues, said: "It will be a harder game than the final without a doubt and they will want to put that right.

Manchester United vs Bolton Online Live - EPL

Watch Manchester United vs Bolton Online Live - EPL Preview

Goalkeeper Ben Foster is on course to keep his place in the Manchester United team when Bolton visit Old Trafford tomorrow.

Edwin van der Sar's groin problem is likely to keep him out again and although Tomasz Kuszczak is available after serving a one-match ban Foster's excellent performance on his debut against Derby should persuade Sir Alex Ferguson to keep faith with the 24-year-old.

Meanwhile, Ferguson insists the Easter Sunday clash against Liverpool will not deflect his side from their immediate task of seeing off Bolton's challenge on Wednesday.

Ferguson said: "There are big games coming up and Liverpool is one of them, especially when you consider Chelsea are playing Arsenal on the same day.

"But when you see what happened at Derby on Saturday, not taking our chances, you realise you can't take anything for granted. Sure, there are big weekends ahead, but the other matches are just as important.

"If we perform well and take our chances then we'll win the match against Bolton. But it's important we respect our opponents.

"Some of our football recently has been terrific and there's good penetration in the team. It's encouraging that we're making so many chances - perhaps the forwards just need to relax a little in front of goal. Then the goals will come.''

Rangers VS Bremen Live Online

Werder Bremen will look to atone for an error-strewn first-leg performance as they welcome Rangers FC to the Weserstadion in a Round of 16 decider.

• Bremen trail 2-0 from the first leg at Ibrox with mistakes from goalkeeper Tim Wiese helping Daniel Cousin and Steven Davis to score either side of half-time in a game which saw captain Barry Ferguson make a Scottish record 77th appearance in UEFA club competition.

• The chance to make a small piece of club history may inspire Bremen's players. Their next goal would be their 150th in the UEFA Cup.

• "It's a nice thing to achieve and I don't see why I can't reach 100 with Rangers," said Ferguson. "There are a few good years left in me yet so that would be a nice number to hit."

Getafe VS Benfica Live Online

Not even a long injury list can dampen Getafe CF spirits as they look to press home a 2-1 advantage against SL Benfica and reach the UEFA Cup quarter-finals.

Getafe coach Michael Laudrup may be without nine players but his side are unbeaten in nine games and enjoying their best run of the season. So, having won 3-0 at Real Murcia CF on Sunday to go tenth in Spain's top flight, they welcome Benfica to the Coliseum Alfonso Pérez in confident mood. Laudrup said: "Things are going well and we haven't noticed a dip in fitness levels. We don't want to rotate the squad too much, but obviously tiredness catches up on you."

Watch Wigan vs Arsenal Live Online - EPL Preview

Wigan boss Steve Bruce has the luxury of a full-strength available for Sunday's visit of Barclays Premier League leaders Arsenal.

Ryan Taylor is fit again after a month out with a rib injury while fellow midfielder Kevin Kilbane has recovered from a bruised foot.
The pair could be competing for one spot on the left wing with Jason Koumas, who performed ably in the position in last week's draw at Manchester City.
Honduras winger Wilson Palacios is set to feature against the team with whom he had a trial last year.

Bruce believes his side have given themselves "an outstanding chance'' of avoiding relegation.
The Latics were in a parlous state when Bruce took charge last November but they have since picked up 19 points from 14 league games.

With Derby and Fulham having fallen behind at the bottom, that has seemingly lifted them into a seven-way battle to avoid the final relegation slot.
There is still much to do but Bruce is happy with progress so far and feels the outlook is much brighter.

"If we can keep being like that and being resilient enough to take our chances, and make sure we are difficult to beat, we have got an outstanding chance,'' the former Birmingham boss said.
"It has been very difficult and very hard work for the players.

Watch Sporting vs Bolton Wanderers Live Online

Mired in relegation worries towards the foot of the Premier League table, Bolton Wanderers FC are hoping to continue their remarkable UEFA Cup run against Sporting Clube de Portugal but may have to do so without two key players.

Sporting respect
Gary Megson's side are teetering on the brink of the bottom three in England, with only goal difference separating them from Reading FC in 18th place, yet they have been a different team in Europe. Unbeaten in six games to date, they overcame Club Atlético de Madrid to reach the last 16 against all expectations, and the Bolton manager insists now is not the time to be daunted by the pedigree of their opposition. "[Sporting] have got a lot of good players and a very strong squad but we don't fear any team we play," said the 48-year-old. "We don't fear any of the Sporting players but we've got a lot of respect for them."

Watch Tottenham Hotspur vs PSV Eindhoven Live Online

Tottenham Hotspur FC assistant coach Gustavo Poyet has called on the London club's fans to propel them towards further cup glory ahead of the visit of PSV Eindhoven in the UEFA Cup Round of 16.

Poyet considers the support Juande Ramos's side received in their 5-1 English League Cup semi-final win against Arsenal FC and subsequent 2-1 final victory against Chelsea FC as a major influence and believes it could give them the edge against the Dutch champions. "It's been fantastic in the last few games at home and the final was amazing," he said. "It's something the players love and when you feel that extra [support] from the fans, it's much easier. I'm sure the crowd will be unbelievable at White Hart Lane and that will help us."

Watch Bayer Leverkusen vs Hamburger Live Online - Uefa Cup Preview

The 32nd all-German UEFA club competition tie – and the 26th in the UEFA Cup – will see Bayer 04 Leverkusen take on Hamburger SV in this season's Round of 16.

The two sides have never met in European competition, but have been regular competitors in the Bundesliga for decades.

There is a long history of German encounters in the UEFA Cup. There have been six all-German semi-finals, and in 1979/80 all four semi-finalist teams came from the former West Germany. Eintracht Frankfurt beat FC Bayern München in one semi, with VfL Borussia Mönchengladbach beating VfB Stuttgart in the other. Eintracht won the final on away goals, losing 3-2 away but winning 1-0 at home in the second leg.

• The most recent all-German encounter took place in 1998, when FC Bayern München and 1. FC Kaiserslautern met in the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals. Bayern won the tie 6-0 on aggregate.

Watch Fiorentina vs Everton Live Online - Uefa Cup Preview

Everton FC will look for an eighth successive UEFA Cup victory, and a first win against Serie A opposition, as they travel to ACF Fiorentina for the first leg of their Round of 16 tie.

Everton go into the game on a run of seven straight victories – a new club record – in the competition since being held to a 1-1 home draw against FC Metalist Kharkhiv in the first leg of their UEFA Cup first-round tie back in September.

They have won their last four European away games since going down 5-1 at FC Dinamo Bucureşti in the first round of the 2005/06 UEFA Cup.

Fiorentina have won their last three UEFA Cup home games, but encouragingly for Everton, they have not kept a clean sheet at the Artemio Franchi in Europe in four games – a run stretching back until 2001.

Fiorentina and Everton have never met in UEFA club competition.

Fiorentina have played four games against English opposition, all of them in the 1999/00 UEFA Champions League. They drew 0-0 at home against Arsenal FC in the first group stage but won 1-0 at Wembley. In the second group stage they met Manchester United FC, winning 2-0 at home but losing 3-1 in Manchester.

Watch Marseille vs Zenit Live Online - Uefa Cup Preview

Olympique de Marseille will hope to avoid a repeat performance as they meet FC Zenit St. Petersburg for a second time in the UEFA Cup Round of 16.

The two sides were drawn together at the same stage in the 2005/06 competition, with Zenit prevailing 2-1 on aggregate following a 1-0 win in France and a 1-1 draw on home soil.

Andrei Arshavin - who is still at Zenit – scored the winner in the first leg, while Aleksandr Kerzhakov put the 2007 Russian champions ahead in the return before Frédéric Déhu equalised.

Kerzhakov subsequently left the club for Sevilla FC, where he won the 2006/07 UEFA Cup. However, he returned to Russia join FC Dinamo Moskva for a €7m fee on 25 February.

Of the current Marseille squad, Taye Taiwo, Wilson Oruma, Mamadou Niang and Samir Nasri played in the first leg while goalkeeper Cédric Carrasso was an unused substitute.

Oruma was suspended for the second leg along with Franck Ribéry, who was sent off in the first leg in France. Deputising for the injured Fabien Barthez, Carrasso endured a grim evening. At fault for letting Kerzhakov's strike go in, he was dismissed in the dying seconds for a foul on the goalscorer.

Taiwo, Niang and Nasri also played in the second leg, as did Lorik Cana.

Marseille's then coach Jean Fernandez missed the second leg after being suspended along with his assistant Albert Emon for comments made to the referee after the game in France.

Watch Anderlecht vs Bayern Munich Live Online - Uefa Cup Preview

RSC Anderlecht and FC Bayern München will play their ninth game against each other in the UEFA Cup Round of 16, having first met in the 1976 UEFA Super Cup.

Bayern and Anderlecht have encountered each other on eight previous occasions, with the German side winning four, drawing two and losing two. The aggregate score from those meetings is 14-11 to the Bavarians.

Their most recent meeting was in the 2003/04 UEFA Champions League group stage. The first meeting in Brussels ended in a 1-1 draw, with Roque Santa Cruz cancelling out Ivica Mornar's opener for Anderlecht. Bayern won their home fixture 1-0, with Roy Makaay scoring the only goal from the penalty spot.

Of the current Anderlecht side, goalkeeper Daniel Zítka and defender Olivier Deschacht played in both legs of the tie, while midfielder Mark De Man was an unused substitute in the first fixture.

Bayern were coached by Ottmar Hitzfeld in both legs of that game and Oliver Kahn started the two games, with Bastian Schweinsteiger twice coming on as a substitute.

Prior to those ties, the sides had met in two European Champion Clubs' Cup quarter-finals and the 1976 UEFA Super Cup. Of those two-legged ties, Anderlecht won two and Bayern one.

Their first meeting was in the 1976 Super Cup. Bayern had beaten AS Saint-Etienne 1-0 to win the European Cup in Glasgow, while Anderlecht beat West Ham United FC 4-2 in Brussels to take the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup.

Dettmar Cramer's Bayern won the first leg in Munich 2-1, with Gerhard Müller scoring twice following an Arie Haan opener for Anderlecht. Raymond Goethals' Anderlecht took a 3-0 lead in the second leg through goals from Rob Rensenbrink, Franky Van Der Elst and Haan, and although Müller grabbed a goal back, Rensenbrink struck again to win the match 4-1 and the tie 5-3 on aggregate.

Watch Liverpool vs West Ham Live Online - EPL Preview

Liverpool vs West Ham Preview: Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez could shuffle his pack for the game against West Ham, where a win will send the Merseysiders back into fourth place.

Liverpool have Newcastle at home on Saturday and then Inter Milan away in the Champions League next Tuesday.

And although the Spaniard has intimated he will not be rotating as much now as the season draws to a climax, he could well change the side that won at Bolton on Sunday.

Steve Finnan is definitely out with a groin strain but it is unlikely he will continue with Jamie Carragher at full-back, so Alvaro Arbeloa is a likely replacement.

Defender Daniel Agger is still recovering from injury and will play for the reserves until he regains full match fitness.

Victory over West Ham at Anfield will have to be achieved with Liverpool once again distracted by another potential takeover - with Dubai International Capital keen to take control of the club.

And the Anfield chief, who has lived with this turmoil at the club for months, knows Liverpool must win their long-awaited game in hand over their closest rivals if they are to gain the confidence boost of a return to fourth place.

Although West Ham are one of only three sides to beat Liverpool in the league this season, they have not won a league game at Anfield for 44 years.

Watch Sevilla vs Fenerbahce Live Online - Champions League Preview

Despite his team's reputation for instinctive attacking play, Sevilla FC coach Manuel Jiménez believes intelligence is the quality they will need most if they are to come back from 3-2 down to beat Fenerbahçe SK in Tuesday's UEFA Champions League first knockout round decider.

Their delight in getting forward earned the Spanish side two valuable away goals a fortnight ago, but it also cost them dearly when substitute Semih Şentürk struck a late winner. Now, with the tie delicately poised and both teams desperate to reach the uncharted waters of the last eight, Jiménez has asked his players to think before they act. "We'll have to be intelligent because our opponents also want to qualify," he said. "It's all very well attacking, however that can rebound on you if you don't have the intelligence to stop the opposition from counterattacking. We mustn't give in to euphoria."

That may sound like caution from the competition newcomers, but they are nothing if not knockout football specialists, having recovered 1-0 first-leg deficits en route to UEFA Cup glory in both 2005/06 and 2006/07 – against CA Osasuna and LOSC Lille Métropole respectively. "If Fenerbahçe are slight favourites because of the scoreline, we certainly don't feel inferior to them or anyone else," continued Jiménez. "We all just need to work harder because a draw won't be enough. If we can go through, it would be important not only for the club but also for the city and Spanish football."

Watch Barcelona vs Celtic Live Online - Champions League Preview

FC Barcelona and Celtic FC want to provide another feast of UEFA Champions League football at the Camp Nou as this first knockout round, second-leg tie promises a repeat of the thriller at Celtic Park.

In assessing the match, home coach Frank Rijkaard unhesitatingly put spectacle and entertainment on a par with the more pragmatic task of capitalising on the 3-2 lead established two weeks ago. The coach has now faced Celtic three times in UEFA competition since arriving in Barcelona in 2003 and has learned sufficient lessons not to believe, even with a healthy advantage, that the Scottish champions will be anything other than a firm test.

"Celtic are a really good side and I don't think there is a massive difference between us. We have a history of playing each other in recent years but, to me, it is this challenge at the Camp Nou, rather than the results of the last few years, which is important to focus on. Champions League nights at the Camp Nou really are wonderful and we love playing them. Our goal is always to give our public spectacle, great football and the right result. It's an important combination for our fans.

In fact, Celtic's two previous results at Barcelona, in the 2003/04 UEFA Cup and the 2004/05 UEFA Champions League, were valiant draws. That would not be sufficient to overcome the deficit from the first match, where two terrific goals from Lionel Messi and one from Thierry Henry brought Barça back from 1-0 and 2-1 down. Yet it would allow Celtic and their large band of travelling fans to extend their notable record in Catalonia. "I am certain Celtic are preparing to put on a great performance," agreed Rijkaard. "But the Champions League is very, very important to us. We'll do our job."

Watch AC Milan vs Lazio Live Online - Italian Serie A Preview

AC Milan may be without Kaka when they face Lazio on Saturday, but the club have been lifted by the news the injured Brazilian playmaker has pledged his long-term future to the club.

The 25-year-old has a knee injury which will keep him out against the Biancoceleste and could also prevent him taking to the pitch when Milan face Arsenal in the return leg of their Champions League last 16 clash next Tuesday.

But the World Player of the Year on Thursday put pen to paper on a contract extension which will tie him to the Rossoneri until the summer of 2013.

And that was enough to bring a smile to the face of club vice-president Adriano Galliani.

"Kaka has declared many times his wish to become a symbol of this team,'' Galliani said. "He is the best player in the world.

"He is a symbol of the football displayed by Silvio Berlusconi's Milan and he has decided to tie his future for a definite period to the Rossoneri colours.

"Kaka has taken this decision. I hope that in 2013 we can make him another contract in order for Kaka to remain at Milan for life and continue to delight our fans.''

Watch Roma vs Parma Live Online - Italian Serie A Preview

Roma captain Francesco Totti is still fuming over the controversial midweek draw at Internazionale as his team head into their next Serie A clash against Parma.

The Giallorossi had been leading 1-0 thanks to Totti's goal when referee Roberto Rosetti sent off defender Philippe Mexes with five minutes remaining.

Inter then capitalised soon after with Javier Zanetti's equaliser to leave second-placed Roma nine points behind the unbeaten Serie A leaders with 13 games remaining.

"The referee had done well up to that point,'' said Totti. "Then he blew it by sending off Mexes and losing control of the game.

"Mexes didn't even touch Hernan Crespo when he was shown his second yellow card, in fact, in practise, Mexes was sent off in a game where he made no fouls.''

Totti nevertheless feels that his team have sent a strong signal to the Serie A leaders that the scudetto battle is not over.

"At San Siro we proved that we are at the same level as Inter,'' he said.

"I think we played better than Inter and I reiterate that the referee gave Inter a big help.

"I was right in saying prior to that game that the battle is not over and I believe that is the case right now.

Watch Deportivo La Coruña vs Sevilla Live Online - La Liga Preview

Sevilla coach Manolo Jimenez admits it will be difficult not to have one eye on their Champions League showdown with Fenerbahce when they take on Deportivo La Coruna on Saturday.

Jimenez's side face the Turkish giants in the return leg of their last-16 clash on Tuesday looking to recover from a 3-2 loss in the first leg in Istanbul.

And Jimenez fears the fact that the crunch encounter comes so soon after the trip to Deportivo could have a bearing on Saturday's game.

He told the club's official website, www.sevillafc.es: "I am trying to find a way to create equilibrium between the two games, which are both very important for the team.

"Many of the players who will play against Deportivo on Saturday will have to recover and play against the Turkish side the following Tuesday.

"Our most important game at this point is the upcoming league game because it is the closest and I will field a strong team as it is not easy to play there and come away with a result.''

Sevilla are in fine goalscoring form in the Primera Liga, having hit nine goals in their last two games - a 5-0 thrashing of Real Zaragoza and a 4-2 win over Espanyol.

Watch Atlético Madrid vs Barcelona Live Online - La Liga Preview

Barcelona forward Lionel Messi believes it is only a matter of time before his side relieve Real Madrid of top spot in the Primera Liga.

The league's second-placed team visit an out-of-sorts Atletico Madrid on Saturday on the back of a 15-match unbeaten run in all competitions.

A 94th-minute equaliser from Xavi kept that run going in the Copa del Rey in midweek when they drew 1-1 at home to Valencia in the opening leg of their semi-final clash.

That performance typified a new found fighting spirit at the club that was sorely lacking earlier in the campaign.

Last weekend's 5-1 thrashing of basement boys Levante, combined with Real's 1-0 defeat to Getafe, saw the gap at the top narrow to just two points with 13 matches remaining.

"We know that is all up to us now and we have proven that if we want to play, we can. We have shown that in the last few games,'' Argentina international Messi said.

"The most important thing is that we are more united than ever. The way we are playing, we can travel to any stadium and put in a good performance.

"If we don't end up as leaders this weekend, it will be the following weekend.''

Real Madrid have lost three of their last four matches and visit lowly Recreativo Huelva on Saturday.

Watch Recreativo Huelva vs Real Madrid Live Online - La Liga Preview

Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos insists no one at the club is pushing the panic button as Barcelona threaten to overhaul their lead at the top of the Primera Liga.

Real have lost three of their past four games and could lose top spot on Saturday if they suffer another slip-up against struggling Recreativo Huelva.

Bernd Schuster's side's lead over Barca, which had looked virtually insurmountable before Christmas, is now down to two points - and they even lost their 100% home record last weekend when they went down 1-0 to Getafe.

That defeat followed a 2-1 defeat at Real Betis and even a 7-0 thrashing of Valladolid the game before can not disguise the fact Real are in the midst of an alarming loss of form.

Their Champions League future is also far from certain after a 2-1 second-round first-leg defeat at Roma as a season which had looked so bright threatens to implode.

Ramos though claims the team are not thinking about the possibility of being overtaken by Barcelona.

He told the club's official website, www.realmadrid.com: "That would be another mistake. We have a winning mentality and we are going to remain calm. If it happens, we will simply have to keep fighting hard in order to win in May.