Pride at stake in Madrid
The Madrid derby is the focal point of the penultimate round of this season's Primera División fixtures, while elsewhere the battle for places in the 2005/06 UEFA Champions League steps up a gear with Villarreal CF and Sevilla FC both playing away.
The Madrid derby is the focal point of the penultimate round of this season's Primera División fixtures, while elsewhere the battle for places in the 2005/06 UEFA Champions League steps up a gear with Villarreal CF and Sevilla FC both playing away.
Real Madrid CF, already guaranteed second place with 76 points, are visited by Club Atlético de Madrid, who are currently eleventh, 28 points adrift of their city rivals. Madrid's Iván Helguera is suspended while Zinedine Zidane's ankle injury makes him a serious doubt. Atlético, meanwhile, have a number of injuries including Jesper Grønkjær and Salva Ballesta, although centre-back José Antonio García Calvo should be available again.
Although there is only pride at stake, the occasion will still be memorable, according to Raúl González. "These matches are always special although this time it will be a little 'decaffeinated' as less is at stake," explained the Madrid captain. "Both clubs have suffered this season and will want to give their fans something to smile about."
Currently lying third on 61 points, Villarreal visit newly-crowned champions FC Barcelona at the Camp Nou but could be without Luciano Figueroa, Juan Román Riquelme, Javi Venta and Santi Cazorla. Barça coach Frank Rijkaard, meanwhile, has a full squad apart from long-term absentees Henrik Larsson, Gabri García, Maxi López and Edmílson.
Sevilla are just two points behind Villarreal in fourth and travel to Getafe CF on Sunday. Centre-back Sergio Ramos, who has personified the southern side's excellent season, told uefa.com: "Our game might appear easier than Villarreal's match but we know that Getafe are going to make it difficult for us on Sunday."
Real Betis Balompié and RCD Espanyol both still harbour realistic Champions League ambitions, and Betis welcome Real Zaragoza with Toni Prats set to stand in for the suspended Antonio Doblas in goal. Espanyol travel to CA Osasuna, while Valencia CF, in sixth, go to relegation-threatened regional rivals Levante UD.
Levante are a single point ahead of 18th-placed RCD Mallorca, who play at RC Deportivo La Coruña in what will be Deportivo stalwarts Mauro Silva and Fran González's last matches at the Riazor. Elsewhere, Athletic Club Bilbao meet bottom side CD Numancia while another relegated team, Albacete Balompié, face Real Sociedad de Fútbol. Real Racing Club Santander complete the weekend action at Málaga CF.