Bellingham boosts Real's chances of taking top spot from faltering Barca

LaLiga leaders Barcelona's dip in form has allowed Real Madrid to move within striking distance and the defending champions could top the standings on Saturday for the first time this season, with Jude Bellingham again firing on all cylinders.

While Barca drew 2-2 at Real Betis last weekend, Real Madrid strolled to a 3-0 win in Girona and are now two points off the pace with a game in hand going into this weekend's short trip to mid-table city rivals Rayo Vallecano.

A win at Vallecas would increase the pressure on Barca before they host Leganes on Sunday, after their once commanding lead has been whittled away over five matches, with third-placed Atletico Madrid also waiting to pounce a point further back.

In October, Barcelona stunned the Bernabeu with a 4-0 hammering of Real Madrid and when they followed that with victory over Espanyol the gap at the top was nine points, after Real's game at Valencia was postponed because of flooding.

Since then, however, Barca have won once in five while Real racked up four wins helped by the return to scoring form of Jude Bellingham, who has netted in all five games.

Bellingham had previously failed to score in the league this term having bagged 19 goals last season, more than any Real player, with the England international shining in his debut season in LaLiga.

The attacking midfielder also scored his first Champions League goal this season in Real's 3-2 win over Atalanta on Tuesday, where Kylian Mbappe was also among the goals.

MBAPPE INJURY

Mbappe has failed to set Spanish football alight as Bellingham did on his arrival and a possible upturn in form could now be hampered by injury, although manager Carlo Ancelotti is optimistic the problem is not serious.

The former Paris St Germain