Real Madrid take on Real Sociedad at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday afternoon with an opportunity to climb back the top of the La Liga standings for a couple of hours at least before Barcelona take on Real Betis.

Real are currently in third spot and two points off the pace, but beleaguered boss Rafael Benitez is feeling the strain, with his side having lost three of their last six league games as well as the club's expulsion from the Copa del Rey.

The 55-year-old, appointed as Madrid boss over the summer on a three-year deal, has been unable to win over many fans and the Madrid media, even a 10-2 thrashing of nine-man Rayo Vallecano in their last match doing little to ease the pressure on him.

Speaking on Tuesday at his press conference, Benitez said: "There is a campaign against Florentino (Perez, the club's president), against myself and against the team.

"Everything is manipulated and it's there for all to see."

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Benitez said he would draw upon his three decades of coaching experience to help steer Real back on course, but said the situation was not as bleak as is being made out with his side having bagged 22 goals in their last three home matches.

"We're qualified for the Champions League [knockout phase] and are two points behind the league leaders, which is the truth, because Barcelona haven't played their game in hand yet," said Benitez.

"When things aren't going too well...you have to concentrate on your job, try to win the next game and lay the foundations to win the following ones as well."

Benitez has a fully-fit squad to choose from with the exception of Sergio Ramos who remains a doubt for the clash with a calf injury.

Gareth Bale, who scored four goals against Vallecano, joined Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema in training while Dani Carvajal is in contention after a month out with a thigh injury.

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La Real's post-David Moyes resurgence seems to be at an end with only one win their last four league games. They are currently 14th and sit just two points off the drop zone.

The Basque club are without the injured duo of David Zurutuza and Raul Navas, although left-back Alberto de la Bella is available again after serving a one-match ban.

In-form striker Imanol Agirretxe will be looking to add to his tally of 12 league strikes this season.