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Real Madrid coach Juande Ramos has a full squad available for Sunday's home match against Villarreal.

Tonsilitis-stricken Gonzalo Higuain aside, defenders Pepe (pictured), Gabriel Heinze and Christoph Metzelder and midfield pair Rafael van der Vaart and Wesley Sneijder should all return having recovered from various ailments, while new signings Klaas Jan Huntelaar and Lassana Diarra could also feature.

Real midfielder Guti said Villarreal were definite candidates to win the league this season - but insisted Real could still defend their title despite a 12-point gap to Barcelona.

"We are the current champions and we have to keep playing that way," he said. "It's a big gap, but we still have a chance."

Villarreal will be looking for their 500th Liga goal at the Bernabeu, where they have never won since they joined Spain's top division in the 1998-99 season.

"Playing at Real Madrid is very tricky but I think we can get a positive result and win," striker Giuseppe Rossi said.

Atletico Madrid striker Diego Forlan said the club's rivals are living in fear of their formidable attacking line, including himself and strike partner Sergio Aguero and wingers Simao Sabrosa and Maxi Rodriguez.

"It's true that we are capable of scoring a lot of goals," the Uruguayan said in an interview with Marca newspaper ahead of their trip to Valencia on Saturday.

Atletico's Portuguese midfielder Maniche and captain Maxi will both be absent against Valencia.

Barcelona have received a boost ahead of their clash with Real Mallorca with the news that Brazilian defender Silvinho said he has no plans to leave in the winter transfer period and is happy to see out his contract, which runs to the end of this season.

"I am happy with the number of matches I have played," the former Arsenal man said. Silvinho has seen action eight times this season, including four Champions League games.

Real Mallorca midfielder Juan Arango said no team is invincible ahead of the Liga strugglers' match against leaders Barca at the Camp Nou on Saturday.

"In any match it's possible to win, draw or lose and no team is invincible," he said. "We are going there to get a good result."

Mallorca are one place above the relegation zone with 14 points from 16 matches.

Reuters