Deportivo dare to dream of beating Real again

Real Madrid coach Vicente Del Bosque has repeatedly called the Spanish championship a race over 38 games but, out of the remaining 12 matches, there is probably no one he would less like to lose points against than Sunday's visitors Deportivo La Coruna.

Real lead the league with 54 points from their 26 games with Real Sociedad one point adrift in second but Deportivo have won five consecutive games to move steadily up to third with 51 points.

"The championship starts here. From now, every game could decide who wins the title," said Del Bosque on Thursday, acknowledging the importance of Sunday's match.

Normally opponents start quaking at the prospect of visiting Real Madrid's Santiago Bernabeu stadium, and the European champions' 46 league game unbeaten streak at home is testimony to this, but Deportivo are less likely to be intimidated than the rest.

In last season's Spanish Cup final, which was held in the Bernabeu, the Galicans memorably defeated the European champions 2-1 to inflict their only loss of the year and spoil Real's bid for a triple triumph in their centenary year.

"In the league, Real have to be the favourites, whereas we were on more level terms in the Cup. But that does not mean that we cannot win. In fact, we are more motivated than ever as a victory will take us level with Real at the top," said Deportivo's Dutch striker Roy Makaay.

Makaay is the man Real must silence if they are to take maximum points.

He has scored 20 league goals this season and is the Spanish first division's leading scorer.

To help Real achieve what other teams have struggled to do, they are expecting the return of club captain Fernando Hierro after a six week absence with a right knee injury.

The former Spanish international has lost some pace over recent seasons but he could calm the nerves of what has been a shaky back line over recent weeks, despite Real winning their last four games.

Real will also be wary of the fact that should they slip up then they could leave the door open for Real Sociedad to regain the lead at Villarreal.

Sociedad coach Raynald Denoueix is expected to name the same 11 that started in their 2-1 win at Racing Santander last Saturday and there has rarely been a better time to visit Villarreal, who have lost their last two games.

To add to Villarreal's woes, their main striker Martin Palermo has not scored in his last 10 games.

Valencia lie down in fourth with 46 points but the reigning Spanish champions are far from out of the title hunt despite losing their last two league outings.

"We have made some mistakes in recent games but I have the feeling we have turned the corner," said Valencia coach Rafa Benitez earlier this week.

His team fulfilled his prophesy on Wednesday with a 2-1 win over English premiership leaders Arsenal to qualify for the Champions League qurter-finals for the third time in the last four years.

However, there was a price to pay for their progress.

First choice goalkeeper Santiago Canizares was stretched off the field with concussion and a deep cut above his eye after an accident collision with Freddy Ljungberg and is doubtful for Sunday's match against struggling Espanyol.

Benitez is fortunate though that he can call upon Canizares' reliable deputy Andres Palop.

Barcelona have now gone 11 games, including Champions League and friendly matches, since Radomir Antic took over last month.
They will be looking to extend their streak and continue their climb back to respectability after the traumas of Louis van Gaal's unsteady stewardship against Racing Santander on Sunday.

Antic may give reserve goalkeeper Victor Valdes another opportunity between the posts after his impressive display in the Catalan's 2-0 win at Newcastle in the Champions League on Wednesday.