Real Madrid quietened crisis talk after back-to-back defeats as Marco Asensio added to his collection of wonder strikes in a 3-0 victory over Las Palmas at the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday.

Midfielder Enzo, 22, left Real's reserve team in the close season in search of first-team football at Alaves, where he has made two La Liga appearances so far.

When Madrid swept a crisis-ridden Barca aside 5-1 in the Spanish Super Cup last month, Zinedine Zidane's men were expected to romp to the title.

Cristiano Ronaldo returns from a five-match ban for Real Madrid 24 hours later at home to Real Betis, whilst Atletico Madrid face a daunting trip to Athletic Bilbao.

"The tests performed on first team player Ousmane Dembele have determined he has ruptured the tendon of the hamstring in his left leg," Barcelona said in a statement on Sunday.

Madrid were without the suspended Cristiano Ronaldo and Sergio Ramos and their presence at both ends of the field was felt in a wide open game filled with chances at both ends.

Atletico Madrid secured Champions League football for a fifth straight season as Saul Niguez's solitary strike earned a 1-0 home win over Eibar on Saturday.

The Portuguese striker, 32, has been rested for four of Real's last five away league games to ensure he is in prime condition for their assault on becoming the first side to retain the Champions League.

Barcelona will hope to keep the pressure on Real Madrid with a victory over Villarreal at the Nou Camp tomorrow, while Los Blancos will definitely want to reply that with a win at Granada later in the day.

Lionel Messi may still win the FIFA Ballon d’Or one more time.  But until and unless he wins a major continental trophy with Argentina he will continue to be measured against...

After falling to Barcelona 2-3 in the El Clasico on Sunday, Zidane made an admission that suggests he didn’t understand his team’s situation. The late goal that James Rodriguez scored for Real Madrid nearly put them in control of La Liga.

Neymar looks set to travel with the Barcelona squad for Sunday's El Clasico against Real Madrid as the Catalans continue to fight his suspension for the potentially title-deciding clash.