Messi and Cristian Ronaldo were at it again in the midweek round of games, and like their clubs they are now neck and neck in the table. Messi netted two and set up another for Ibrahimovic at Racing before going off to an ovation from local fans, and Ronaldo scored within two minutes of Madrid's match at Villarreal. Incidentally Ibrahimovic's fourth in as many league games was a record for a new player at the club, beating Stoichkov's three from the 1990/91 season.

Don't rule out David Villa though for this season's Pichichi. The Valencia striker scored his fifth league goal of the current campaign in the 3-1 defeat at Getafe, and is still level with the two superstars. Last year's Pichichi Diego Forlán missed a penalty but made up for it with his third of the season in a disappointing 2-2 draw against Almería, and Villa and Forlán go head-to-head in a "must win" match for both sides at the weekend. Elsewhere Pandiani is back in our chart after scoring in Osasuna's win at Valladolid. (25.09.09)