Primera Liga matches, April 16-17
Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard will be hoping his team have taken on board his criticism of recent performances and can rediscover their form with a victory over Getafe at the Nou Camp on Sunday (kickoff 1900 GMT).
Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard will be hoping his team have taken on board his criticism of recent performances and can rediscover their form with a victory over Getafe at the Nou Camp on Sunday (kickoff 1900 GMT).
The Dutchman issued a severe reprimand to his players after last weekend's 4-2 defeat at arch-rivals Real Madrid, saying they risked throwing away the league title because of their over-relaxed attitude in recent games.
The Catalans enjoyed a comfortable 11-point lead over Real at the end of last month but that is now down to just six with seven games to play.
More worrying for Rijkaard is the fact that his team's previously watertight defence has started to look dangerously leaky, conceding seven goals in the last two games.
To make matters worse, defensive linchpin Carles Puyol will have to sit out the Getafe match through suspension.
Up front leading scorer Samuel Eto'o looks certain to miss out after damaging a knee cartilage at the Bernabeu on Sunday, making way for young Argentine striker Maxi Lopez.
The good news for Rijkaard is that the influential Deco returns from suspension after missing the Real match and he has made it clear Barca are determined to get back to winning ways.
"Neither myself nor my team mates believe that we will let slip the chance of winning the title...and we aren't wasting time calculating how many games we need to win," the Portugal midfielder told Marca on Friday.
"All we are worried about is beating Getafe on Sunday."
The Primera Liga newcomers have confounded the pre-season predictions of many pundits and are looking forward to another season playing in the top flight.
Last week's 1-0 win at home to Albacete left them 15 points clear of the drop zone and, after beating Real Madrid 2-1 last month, they will be out to add another high-profile scalp to their collection.
Other matches being played this weekend (kickoff times 1500 GMT unless stated; league positions in brackets):
Saturday:
ATLETICO MADRID (8) v ESPANYOL (6) 1800
Atletico's ambitions of returning to Europe were dealt a major blow with a surprise 1-0 defeat at basement side Numancia last weekend but their home form has been much better and even though they are missing suspended midfielder Ariel Ibagaza they will give Espanyol a run for their money.
SEVILLA (3) v OSASUNA (16) 1800
A comprehensive 3-1 victory at fellow high-flyers Espanyol last weekend has given Sevilla the edge in the race for the Champions League places and Joaquin Caparros's side will fancy their chances of making it four wins on the trot when they meet Osasuna, who have only one victory to their name this year.
REAL SOCIEDAD (13) v DEPORTIVO CORUNA (9) 2000
Depor wasted a chance to close in on the UEFA Cup places when they conceded a late goal in a 1-1 draw at home to Villarreal last week.
But their away form has been far better this season and they will be optimistic about their chances against Sociedad, who lost 3-0 at Bilbao in the Basque derby last time out.
Playing on Sunday:
ALBACETE (19) v MALAGA (14)
A costly 1-0 defeat at Getafe left Albacete 10 points adrift of the safety zone and only a miraculous change in form looks like saving the Manchegos from the drop. Malaga, who now look safe, will be missing in-form midfielder Miguel Angel.
LEVANTE (15) v REAL MADRID (2) 1700
Spirits are high at Real after their 4-2 win over Barca last week and they are hoping to heap the pressure on the league leaders with a victory over Bernd Schuster's side since they kick off before their title rivals on Sunday.
Argentine centre back Walter Samuel and midfielder Guti return from suspension and the Spain international could provide cover for Thomas Gravesen if the former Everton player fails to recover from an ankle strain.
Michael Owen looks certain to retain his place in the starting lineup after notching his 11th league goal of the season against Barca but there is still heated debate in the Madrid press as to whether Luis Figo or a half-fit Raul should sit it out on the bench.
RACING SANTANDER (17) v ATHLETIC BILBAO (10)
Bilbao's chances of earning a place in Europe appear to rest more on success in the King's Cup -- their semi-final first leg against Real Betis is next week -- than the league, but a win against Racing could put them back in the frame.
REAL MALLORCA (18) v VALENCIA (7)
Valencia twice surrendered the lead in a 2-2 draw at home to Malaga last week but remain just a point off the European places.
With the return of Pablo Aimar from injury and the presence of Italian striker Marco Di Vaio the Ches should prove too strong for the relegation-threatened islanders, who have lost their last four games in a row.
REAL ZARAGOZA (11) v NUMANCIA (20)
A 1-0 win at home to Atletico last week revived Numancia's slim hopes of avoiding the drop but the Sorians have only won one away game all season. Unless they can reverse the trend and beat mid-table Zaragoza, the Primera Liga's bottom side can effectively wave goodbye to any chances of survival.
VILLARREAL (4) v REAL BETIS (5)
An intriguing duel between two sides bidding for one of the Champions League places.
Villarreal, Spain's last representative in Europe this season, were knocked out of the UEFA Cup by AZ Alkmaar on Thursday but at least leading striker Diego Forlan returns after being ineligible for the match against the Dutch side.
Betis forward Edu, who has formed a rewarding partnership with fellow countryman Ricardo Oliveira up front, is injured.