Barca trying to keep cool as Real crank up the pressure

Real Madrid are doing their best to crank up the pressure on Barcelona after they moved into second place in the Primera Liga last weekend, but the Catalans insist there is no danger of them cracking under the strain.

Real are in buoyant mood after they produced one of their best performances of the season to stage a 3-2 comeback win over Sevilla that allowed them to move above the Andalucians in the league standings.

But Barca kept their cool and put their poor away form behind them to win 2-0 away at relegation-threatened Real Sociedad and keep a two-point lead over Real at the top of the table with five games left to play.

Real, who have lost just one of their last 12 games, host UEFA Cup finalists Espanyol at the Bernabeu on Saturday, while Barca, unbeaten at home this season, entertain struggling Real Betis at the Nou Camp on Sunday.

"We aren't under any pressure because we've come from behind and we are improving all the time," Real right back Michel Salgado said on Wednesday.

"I don't know if Barcelona are afraid of us but I'm sure they feel more uncomfortable with us just two points behind them."

As usual Barca coach Frank Rijkaard insisted he was unworried about Real talking up their chances of the title.

"I'm not bothered by what they say. If they are trying to destabilise us it doesn't have any effect on me," said the lugubrious Dutchman.

"For me motivation always comes from within. We have to look at ourselves in the mirror, be self-critical and take on the responsibility."

Midfielder Xavi said that Barca were favourites for the title but admitted that the smallest slip-up could see his side surrender the title they have won for the past two seasons.

"I would like the title to be settled before the final game but I don't think it will turn out that way," he said. "We have to keep our heads and stay calm because at this stage of the season games are decided by the tiniest of details."

Real will be without David Beckham and Robinho who are both suspended for their match against Espanyol, but Guti, the architect of the victory over Sevilla, should start.

Espanyol coach Ernesto Valverde has revealed that he will be making changes to his side with a view to next week's final, but insisted that it did not mean they would be taking it easy.

"We'll be going for the win," he said. "There will be no better way of preparing for the final than by beating Madrid. It would really boost our morale ahead of the game in Glasgow."

Espanyol's opponents at Hampden, Sevilla are still in with a chance of a historic treble after booking their place in their first King's Cup final in 45 years with a thumping 5-0 aggregate win over Deportivo Coruna.

Now four points adrift of Barca, they play fellow Andalucians Recreativo Huelva on Saturday as they attempt to stay in the title race.

Valencia host Real Zaragoza on Sunday in an encounter between two sides battling it out for the final Champions League spot, while a misfiring Atletico Madrid will be aiming to stave off neighbours Getafe in a game that will help decide the UEFA Cup places.

At the other end of the table, tension is bound to be high in two classic relegation six-pointers between Hristo Stoichkov's Celta Vigo and Levante and Gimnastic and Real Sociedad.