All eyes on Madrid as rivals clash
The Madrid derby between Real and Atletico takes centre-stage this weekend with both clubs enjoying flying starts to the season.
The Madrid derby between Real and Atletico takes centre-stage this weekend with both clubs enjoying flying starts to the season.
Real have earned 10 points from a possible 12 and lie in second spot in the standings while Atletico are just one point back in fifth.
Atletico have had arguably the tougher start though and they will have received a huge morale boost with their last-gasp win over in-form Sevilla last weekend.
Sevilla went to the Vicente Calderon on the back of an eight-game winning streak in La Liga and they looked set for another three-point haul after taking a deserved lead through Renato.
But the dismissals of Julien Escude and Javi Navarro put the UEFA Cup holders on the back foot, and Atletico took advantage with Maxi Rodriguez scoring twice in the last five minutes to earn a 2-1 win.
Real also go into the game with confidence sky-high following their 5-1 Champions League demolition of Dynamo Kiev in midweek.
Raul scored twice in that match to end a scoring drought for Real that stretched back to last year, and the experienced Spain striker is hoping for more success against Atletico.
"The team is really looking forward to Sunday's derby before we break for national team competition," he said.
"It's a very special rivalry match. This game means a lot because I used to be an Atletico Madrid fan and I played there. Now I play for Real Madrid, and my first goal here came against Atletico."
Real will be without Cicinho after he damaged cruciate knee ligaments in last weekend's win over Real Betis, while his fellow right-back Michel Salgado is still battling back from a knee problem of his own.
A serious knee injury has also robbed league leaders Barcelona of their leading scorer Samuel Eto'o ahead of Saturday's game at Athletic Bilbao.
The Cameroon international damaged the meniscus in his right knee during the Champions League draw with Werder Bremen and is set to be sidelined for the rest of the year.
Eidur Gudjohnsen or Javier Saviola could take over in attack against an Athletic side who will be playing for the first time under new president Ana Urquijo.
Urquijo became the first female president in the club's 108-year history after taking over following Wednesday's resignation of Fernando Lamikiz.
Athletic will have two players suspended against Barca with Aritz Aduriz and Ander Murillo being sent off in the draw with Getafe - two of 11 red cards shown last weekend in La Liga.
Sevilla were another side to be reduced to nine men and Escude and Javi Navarro will sit out the visit of Getafe, who themselves will be without the suspended Cosmin Contra.
Bottom two Racing Santander and Real Sociedad both meet Galician sides on Sunday as they look to claim their first wins of the season.
Racing are at home to Celta Vigo while Sociedad are away at Deportivo La Coruna.
Third-placed Valencia, one of only three unbeaten teams in La Liga along with Barca and Real Madrid, host Gimnastic Tarragona as they look to build on their impressive start to the season in Spain and Europe.
Of their eight matches so far, Valencia have won six and drawn one, with the 1-0 loss at Salzburg in the Champions League qualifying round their only setback.
In other matches, Villarreal travel to Real Mallorca, Osasuna go to Espanyol, Real Zaragoza are at home to Levante and Recreativo Huelva host Real Betis.