Espanyol hold Barcelona to bore draw at the Nou Camp

Barcelona failed again to put pressure on leaders Real Madrid after being held to a 0-0 draw at home by city rivals Espanyol in the Primera Liga on Saturday.

The Champions League semi-finalists have only managed one win in their last eight league matches and put in a toothless display in a passion-free derby with their struggling neighbours.

Barca stay second with 61 points, eight short of Real who can extend their lead at the top to 11 with a win at fifth-placed Racing Santander on Sunday.

Villarreal, third with 59, can move above Barca if they defeat visitors Valladolid.

Atletico Madrid’s hold on fourth place was weakened as they lost 3-1 at home to Real Betis to remain on 54 points.

Juande, Xisco and Capi plundered the goals from Atletico’s shaky defence, and Sergio Aguero’s first-half equaliser was to little avail.

Sixth-placed Sevilla host Almeria at the Sanchez Pizjuan in Saturday’s late game.

At the foot of the table, two goals by Brazilian striker Ricardo Oliveira helped Real Zaragoza to a 3-0 home win over Recreativo Huelva that hauled them out of the bottom three at the expense of their visitors.