Two clubs in opposite halves of the Spanish Liga BBVA table will do battle today in a league match between Málaga and Real Madrid. The first-division clash scheduled for 3 p.m. ET will be held at La Rosaleda in Málaga and can be live streamed here free.

For Real Madrid, focus remains key when they visit Los Boquerones on Sunday. An epic confrontation with Barcelona is just a week away, but Madrid must avoid the trap of a Málaga side currently sitting 13th in the table. Maintaining their three-point lead over Atlético Madrid and four-point lead over Barcelona is of the utmost importance if the club hopes to capture another league title.

Carlo Ancelotti believes his men are well aware of that fact (h/t to Marca). "I trust the players," Ancelotti said. "We all understand that this is a very important game. We have said many times that at this point of the season all games are important. Against Málaga we have to play with the same attitude, intensity and concentration that we did against Levante," he added.

"We are not talking about the Clasico. We are convinced that the game to be played is against Málaga. After that we will have the Champions League."

Will Real Madrid maintain their focus, or will they stumble into El Clásico? Tell us @SportsWN

Tactical Preview

Player to Watch: Stepping in for the suspended Sergio Ramos is Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane. The 20-year-old has been battling an injury-plagued season, but expects to add to his six league appearances on Sunday.

Malaga's Projected Lineup (4-2-3-1): Caballero; Antunes, Ferreira, Sánchez, Angeleri; Tissone, Camacho; Amrabat, Duda, Samuel; Cruz

Real Madrid's Projected Lineup (4-3-3): López; Marcelo, Pepe, Varane, Carvajal; Di Maria, Alonso, Modric; Ronaldo, Benzema, Bale

(h/t to WhoScored)

RnkTeamMPWDLGFGAGDP
1Real Madrid27214276265067
2Atlético Madrid27204363214264
3FC Barcelona27203474225263
4Athletic Club27156650311951
5Villarreal CF27135947331444
6Real Sociedad27127746361043
7Sevilla FC2711884742541
8Valencia CF27106113938136
9Espanyol27106113233-136
10Levante279992634-836
11Celta de Vigo2786133239-730
12Granada CF2793152436-1230
13Málaga CF2778122435-929
14Osasuna2785132439-1529
15Elche CF2778122440-1629
16Getafe CF2776142342-1927
17Real Valladolid27511112944-1526
18UD Almería2775152546-2326
19Rayo Vallecano2782172659-3226
20Real Betis2746172356-3318