Leader Barcelona feeling pace of Spanish title race

FC Barcelona needs a victory over Getafe on Sunday to calm fears that its bid for a first Spanish league title since 1999 is foundering.

Barcelona's anxiety that it could be overtaken by Real Madrid grew last weekend when it lost 4-2 at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, reducing its lead to six points with seven rounds remaining.

Barcelona has 69 points from 31 games, while Madrid has 63.

Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard said his team, which boasted an 11-point advantage only two rounds ago, was still in the driving seat.

"We shouldn't be guided by fear. We have to get back the humility, sacrifice and commitment we need to perform all our tasks," Rijkaard told sports daily Mundo Deportivo.

But the Dutch coach acknowledged Barcelona now wasn't "the team which had attacked and defended together."

"Perhaps it's because people were saying we had the league sewn up. I always warned that this wasn't true," Rijkaard said. "Subconsciously, Barca has relaxed too much and we have paid for it."

Barcelona's concerns for Sunday's game were worsened by the loss of captain Carles Puyol, who is suspended.

Leading scorer Samuel Eto'o is almost certain to be absent with a right knee injury he sustained against Madrid. Argentine youngster Maxi Lopez, signed from River Plate in January, is set to replace him.

However, Rijkaard will be boosted by the return of Portugal midfielder Deco from suspension.

Sunday's game is the first time Barcelona has played Getafe in the Spanish league.

The 12th-place team from the outskirts of Madrid has enjoyed a creditable first season in the top flight, its win over Albacete last weekend virtually ensuring it would remain there next season.

"Winning at the Camp Nou would be the tops, it would be the perfect way to celebrate a great season," Getafe's Romanian striker Gica Craioveanu said.

Madrid visits 15th-placed Levante on Sunday on the back of three straight wins and growing in confidence that a record 30th league title is still possible.

Goalkeeper Iker Casillas said the team "could take over the leadership in the penultimate round of matches," although coach Vanderlei Luxemburgo has urged caution.

"We need to be as motivated against Levante as we were against Barcelona," the Brazilian said.

Luxemburgo is likely to retain the tactical formation which overpowered the leader, meaning Michael Owen will continue in attack.

This may leave Portuguese midfielder Luis Figo on the bench again, although Wednesday's training injury to midfielder Thomas Gravesen, which left the Dane doubtful, may force Luxemburgo to reconsider.

Argentina's Walter Samuel, who was suspended last weekend, is expected to replace Francisco Pavon in the center of defense.

Madrid won 1-0 on both its previous league visits to Levante, which is coached by Bernd Schuster, the former West Germany midfielder who helped Madrid to the league title in 1989 and 1990.