Messi, Ronaldo reload on road in Spanish league

Messi will aim to extend his record run of scoring in 11 straight league matches when Barcelona travels to Mestalla Stadium on Sunday with an 11-point lead in the standings.

Granada welcomes Madrid the day before in the debut of coach Lucas Alcaraz, who replaced Juan Anquela on Wednesday with the team hovering two points above the relegation zone.

Second-place Atletico Madrid hosts fifth-place Real Betis on Sunday with a perfect home record at Vicente Calderon Stadium through 19 games in all competitions.

Barcelona drew 1-1 at Madrid in the first leg of the Copa del Rey semifinals on Wednesday, with neither Messi nor Ronaldo scoring. At least one of the two stars had scored in the previous six clasico matches dating to 2011.

Barcelona squandered several chances to take a commanding lead in the tie. Messi saw his run of scoring in 16 straight starts come to an end, but he did manage to set up Cesc Fabregas for the opener.

Messi leads the Spanish league with 33 goals through 21 rounds after netting four times last weekend against Osasuna.

"We are a little frustrated because we could have scored more goals (against Madrid)," said Barcelona defender Jordi Alba, who is returning to Valencia for the first time since joining Barcelona last offseason.

"I am very excited about going back to Mestalla. Valencia was the club that gave me the opportunity to debut in the first division and to be the player I am today."

Valencia is in seventh place, with four wins in its last five league games under new coach Ernesto Valverde.