Barca currently boast a two-point lead over Madrid at the summit and are unbeaten in their last 20 competitive matches - equalling their best run under coach Pep Guardiola, which was achieved during the club's treble-winning season.

The Catalan giants have been victorious in 17 of those 20 matches, while in winning their last eight successive games they have scored 32 goals and conceded just three, the last of which came 514 minutes ago.

Barca also have a formidable record against Sociedad down the years, winning 53 of 63 meetings and losing just three times.

However, promoted Sociedad are not going to give up without a fight and, having climbed up to sixth with their derby win over Athletic Bilbao, they are in bullish mood ahead of the trip to the Nou Camp.

"We are going there to make them suffer," said winger Xabi Prieto.

Midfielder David Zururuza added: "Other teams have already beaten them at the Nou Camp. Look at Hercules, who were recently promoted like us. So why can't we do the same? We've shown that we can make life tough for the big teams.

"At the very least we're going to try, we are in confident mood and we need to take advantage if it."

Someone else who should be brimming with confidence is Benzema, who enjoyed his most successful outing as a Madrid player on Wednesday night as he scored a hat-trick in his side's 4-0 Champions League victory over Auxerre.

Benzema has struggled to impress since his big-money move from Lyon to the Bernabeu in the summer of 2009 and his treble against Auxerre doubled his tally for the current campaign.

Benzema and Madrid will both be hoping that performance will spark a goal glut for the France international, especially as the Spanish giants do not know when Gonzalo Higuain will be fit again as he struggles with a back injury.

"I feel better with each day that passes," said Benzema after the Auxerre match.

"I am continuing to adapt and I will keep on working hard to play like this. This was possibly my best match with Real Madrid because of the three goals I scored. I need to play more like this to build confidence."

Third-placed Villarreal will attempt to keep on the coat-tails of the top two when they travel to a Getafe side who have claimed impressive victories over Sevilla and Real Mallorca in their last two league outings.

Villarreal's World Cup-winning centre-back Carlos Marchena, whose side are five points behind Madrid, said of the trip to the capital: "Getafe look to play good football and have great players. They will be very uncomfortable opponents and I think it's going to be an attractive game for the spectators."

Two of La Liga's struggling big guns are also in action on Saturday night, with Sevilla at home to Andalusian rivals Almeria and Atletico Madrid hosting improving Deportivo La Coruna.

Sevilla have lost their last four games in all competitions and are now 10th in La Liga, while eighth-placed Atletico are on a three-match losing streak.

Both clubs are eight points adrift of the fourth and final Champions League spot occupied by surprise package Espanyol, who are away to Athletic Bilbao.

In this weekend's other games, Sporting Gijon - who along with Zaragoza and Almeria lie in the relegation zone - are at home to Levante, Malaga go to Hercules and Mallorca meet Racing Santander.

On Monday night, fifth-placed Valencia will attempt to close the four-point gap to Espanyol when they take on Osasuna at the Mestalla.