Fabregas aware of Real Madrid threat

Cesc Fabregas insists it is far too early to write of Real Madrid's title prospects this season, despite Los Blancos already being eight points behind Barcelona in pursuit of La Liga glory.

Real have just four points from their opening four fixtures, having suffered surprise defeats to Getafe and Sevilla and winning, while Barca have won each of their league encounters this season.

Barca have the opportunity to take the deficit to 11 points this weekend when they meet Granada before Real face Rayo Vallecano, but Fabregas says the Spanish champions still retain the ability to recover.

"It is very early and Madrid have huge potential," he told a press conference. "This week we play before Madrid, and it is up to us to put more pressure on them.

"They go to Vallecas [to play Rayo] which is never easy, but neither will Granada [at home] be an easy game for us."

Despite their poor form in the league, Real still have the bragging rights over their great rivals, having claimed victory in the Spanish Super Cup last month.

The Clasico rivals will meet again a week on Sunday to contest the first league meeting between the two this term, which will provide Real the opportunity to claw themselves back into contention.