Benzema talks title hopes

Karim Benzema believes backing Real Madrid to win is no gamble as they look to maintain their lead over Barcelona at the top of La Liga. The 24-year-old striker is producing his best form since a move from Lyon in 2009, having contributed ten goals to the 61 Los Merengues have scored in the league this season. Benzema netted twice in Real's 5-1 victory over Granada last week - a result which, coupled with Barça's draw at Espanyol, moved Jose Mourinho's team five points clear. The France international has utmost confidence in his side and told As.com: "Always bet on us. Every game we go out to win. Now we're fine, we are first, and we will continue to do our best to win this league." Fellow Frenchman Zinedine Zidane spent five years at the Bernabeu, and he is someone Benzema is trying to emulate. "I am only 24 and I will work hard to keep it up, because I'm physically and mentally well," said the No9. "I'm playing many games and scoring a lot of goals." Neither does the expectation surrounding the club affect him. "It is normal for the club and the fans to want to win all the titles," he said. His fellow forward Cristiano Ronaldo has been prolific, having already scored 21 league goals this season, with Gonzalo Higuain contributing 13. Benzema clearly enjoys playing alongside the former, who is currently the top scorer in La Liga and last season topped the goals table ahead of Lionel Messi. Benzema believes the Portuguese will repeat the feat: "I hope so because he is a great player and when we play together, he will provide many balls for me to score."