The Tribune

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) -- With its lead over Barcelona crumbling, league pacesetter Real Madrid faces a crucial Spanish capital derby at an Atletico Madrid eager to break a run of 22 games without a victory over its crosstown rivals on Wednesday. Three draws in its last five games have cut Madrid's once commanding advantage of 10 points down to four, and Barcelona will have a shot at pulling even closer today at home against Getafe. Madrid's visit to Vicente Calderon stadium is even more important with it set to travel to Barcelona in less than two weeks. "The gap with Barcelona has been reduced, but now we just have to keep moving forward," said Madrid captain Iker Casillas. "The derby will be a special match. After so long without beating us, for them it will also be a vital game." "Real Madrid can lose this league because mathematically it isn't over. Each match is a final." Atletico hasn't beaten Madrid since 1999, and Madrid's dominance has only increased over time with wins in each its last seven meetings. For Atletico to have a chance it will need to repeat Valencia's feat on Sunday when it held Madrid's potent attack in check for a 0-0 draw. Jose Mourinho's Madrid has scored a league-high 100 goals so far this season -- 74 of those coming from the trio of Cristiano Ronaldo, Gonzalo Higuain and Karim Benzema -- and is on pace to break the all-time league record of 107. While struggling away, coach Diego Simeone has his Atletico team playing well at home where it has won three in a row. "We have to respect them because they are leaders and are more than 30 points above us in the standings. This is one of the best Real Madrid sides ever," said Atletico defender Filipe Luis. "But we will be playing in front of our fans and will try to get the win. All of us dream about beating Madrid after all these years." Barcelona will be without suspended midfielder Cesc Fabregas, while defenders Gerard Pique and Dani Alves are both doubtful because of injury. The defending champions will be able to count on prolific scorer Lionel Messi as they seek a tenth straight league win. Also on Tuesday, sixth-place Osasuna hosts Espanyol with both teams in the hunt for a place in European competition next season, while Real Betis is at Real Sociedad. Third-place Valencia will look to build on its draw at Madrid on Wednesday as it welcomes the explosive Rayo Vallecano, fresh off a 6-0 rout of Osasuna over the weekend. Levante will try to take three points at last-place Sporting Gijon that would keep this season's surprise team in the thick of the hunt for a top-four finish and a Champions League place. Also Wednesday, Athletic Bilbao visits Granada in search of a second straight win to maintain its fading hopes of a late-season rally to move up the standings. On Thursday, it's: Villarreal vs. Malaga; Racing Santander vs. Mallorca; and Sevilla vs. Zaragoza.