There are still plenty of months before the winner of La Liga is decided, but the battle for the top of the table can't be any hotter. Real Madrid hope to keep pace with the leader and possibly take over first place on Saturday by winning their fifth road match of the season. 
The first half of the season is nearing its end and Real Madrid find themselves in second place having won all their matches at home and won four and drawn two at some of La Liga's most hostile venues to play in.
The Madridistas launch their assault on La Catedral without the likes of some big name players but with others who are no less capable of stepping up tp the plate. Rafael van der Vaart and Gonzalo Higuain are nicked up and unavailable, but Garay and Xabi Alonso are healthy again and available for use by Manuel Pellegrini.
Guti will also be on hand after earning some playing time last week against Mallorca, as are Sergio Ramos and Lass Diarra, who missed the match against the islanders due to suspension.
Real Madrid have a golden opportunity to take provisional hold of first place in the table by winning in San Mames. Barcelona can only reclaim the lead by knocking off Sevilla at the Camp Nou in Saturday's late night matchup:
Despite the impressive season put together by Athletic Bilbao, Los Leones have only notched a defeat and a draw in 2010. The team, however, is still in 8th place and only three points off a Europa League berth. Joaquin Caparros has called up 19 men for the encounter including Etxeberria and Iturraspe, while Gabilondo will be asbsent.
Athletic last defeted Real Madrid five seasons ago if they plan on keeping their UEFA aspirations alive. Aside for Real Madrid and Barcelona, Bilbao is the only other team to play in ever edition of La Liga since 1929.
The Madridistas hold the upper hand in over 80 years of clashes and 156 matches against Athletic. They have won 76 times, drawn 31 and lost 41.
www.Realmadrid.com
