Title fight heats up

A midweek programme brings no respite to the battle for La Liga, as Barcelona entertain Getafe on Tuesday while leaders Real Madrid make the short trip to city rivals Atletico on Wednesday.
With seven games remaining and a trip to the Camp Nou later this month, Madrid cannot afford any more slip-ups after a 10-point gap over their rivals has been reduced to four in less than a month.
In that period Madrid have won just two out of five, drawing three matches, while Barca have been victorious in their last nine league outings.
The Catalans came from behind to beat Zaragoza 4-1 on Saturday while 24 hours later Madrid were ineffective in attack as they drew 0-0 at home to Valencia.
Barca midfielder Thiago Alcantara was quick to send out a message to Madrid after Saturday's hard fought victory.
"Madrid will have to sweat blood to win this league," he said, as the two sides move closer to their April 21 showdown.
Barca's opponents Getafe, who sit 10th and only one point from a Europa League place, were the first of only two teams to defeat them this season.
That 1-0 defeat in November has only been followed by a 3-2 loss at Osasuna in February, as Barca have scored a club record 161 goals in 54 matches in all competitions.
They will be without Cesc Fabregas on Tuesday after he picked up his fifth yellow card against Zaragoza, while Gerard Pique and Dani Alves are both doubts with muscular problems.
Atletico Madrid will look to do Barca a favour in Wednesday's "Madrileno" derby.
Real stretched their unbeaten streak against Atletico to 22 matches in November with a 4-1 home victory and Atletico have not managed to beat their great rivals this century.
FIXTURES
Tuesday
Osasuna v Espanyol (1800 GMT), Real Sociedad v Real Betis (1800 GMT), Barcelona v Getafe (1900 GMT)
Wednesday
Valencia v Rayo Vallecano (1800 GMT), Granada v Athletic Bilbao (1800 GMT), Sporting Gijon v Levante (1800 GMT), Atletico Madrid v Real Madrid (2000 GMT)
Thursday
Villarreal v Malaga (1800 GMT), Racing Santander v Mallorca (1900 GMT), Sevilla v Zaragoza (2000 GMT).