Barcelona’s Spanish coach Ernesto Valverde attends a training session open to the public at the Mini Stadium in Barcelona on January 4, 2019. (Photo by Josep LAGO / AFP)
Held by Villarreal last time out, Madrid were left adrift of league leaders Barca almost halfway through the season.
That gap may change with Madrid hosting Real Sociedad and Barcelona making the trip to Getafe.
But Valverde said he expected the capital club to remain in the title race until the end.
“We consider Real Madrid a candidate for the title for the rest of the season,” he told a news conference.
“I know that the differences seem great, but are not, just seven points. They are one of our rivals.”
