Primera Liga matches, April 24-25
Barcelona forward Ronaldinho will get the chance to confirm his status as the most exciting player in the Primera Liga when he takes part in his first league clash against arch-rivals Real Madrid on Sunday (kickoff 1730 GMT).
Barcelona forward Ronaldinho will get the chance to confirm his status as the most exciting player in the Primera Liga when he takes part in his first league clash against arch-rivals Real Madrid on Sunday (kickoff 1730 GMT).
The Brazilian moved to Barcelona at the start of the season after David Beckham rejected an offer to join the Catalans, but nine months on Barca fans must be thinking they hit the jackpot by getting the club's second-choice signing.
He may not command the same sort of media attention as Beckham, but Ronaldinho has put the England captain in the shade with his performances on the pitch.
Ronaldinho, 24, has set the pulses of football fans all over the country racing with his sublime skill and spectacular goals.
The World Cup winner missed December's match when Real beat Barca at the Nou Camp for the first time in the league in 20 years but is cautiously optimistic his side can claim their first victory at the Bernabeu since November 1997.
"They are the favourites, because they are above us in the standings, but I think we can go there with a real chance of victory," he said earlier this week.
"We know that it is going to be very difficult for us to win the league, but there are still plenty of games left and a lot to fight for."
A 15-match unbeaten run has put Barca third in the table, seven points behind Real and leaders Valencia with five games to go. A win at the Bernabeu would give the leading duo something to think about.
Real have Ronaldo back after a thigh injury but with Francisco Pavon suspended and fellow centre back Alvaro Mejia nursing a leg injury, coach Carlos Queiroz may be forced to drop Ivan Helguera into the back four and leave Beckham more exposed in midfield.
Barca are likely to be at full strength with defender Carles Puyol appearing to have shaken off a minor leg injury.
Other matches being played this weekend (standings in brackets; kickoff times 1530 GMT unless stated):
Saturday:
ESPANYOL (18) v ATLETICO MADRID (7) (1800)
Espanyol gave themselves a fighting chance of avoiding the drop with a determined 3-1 win at Osasuna last week, but they need to repeat the trick if they are to haul themselves out trouble.
Atletico, who also need the win if they are to rejoin the hunt for a UEFA Cup place, welcome back leading scorer Fernando Torres from suspension.
MALAGA (8) v DEPORTIVO CORUNA (4) (2000)
Depor effectively waved goodbye to their slim chances of taking the title with a 1-1 draw at Valladolid last weekend. They had a tough time in their goalless draw against Porto in the Champions League and now face another hard match.
Sunday:
ATHLETIC BILBAO (5) v VALENCIA (1) (1930)
Although much of the attention is focused on the Real-Barca clash, this match could have an bigger influence on deciding the destination of the title.
Valencia hung on to the leadership by the skin of their teeth when they came back from two goals down to draw 2-2 at home to Real Sociedad and they face a daunting away trip against fifth-placed Athletic who thumped Zaragoza 4-0 last week.
CELTA VIGO (19) v OSASUNA (6)
Celta claimed their first win in nine games at Albacete, but may have to do without influential midfielder Alexander Mostovoi, who is suffering from 'flu, as well as Brazilian defender Silvinho who is suspended.
UEFA Cup hopefuls Osasuna will be without injured Australian striker John Aloisi.
RACING SANTANDER (14) v ALBACETE (16)
Defeat for either side could make for a very nervous run-in to the end of the season. Racing have Israeli forward Yossi Benayoun back fit as they look for their first win in six outings.
REAL BETIS (11) v REAL SOCIEDAD (12)
Both sides will want a strong finish to make up for what have been deeply disappointing campaigns. Sociedad gave leaders Valencia plenty of problems last week and should do the same for the under-performing Andalucians.
REAL ZARAGOZA (13) v SEVILLA (9)
Zaragoza coach Victor Munoz will need to remodel his side after four of his key players were handed bans following last week's 4-0 defeat at Bilbao. Missing centre backs Gabriel Milito and Alvaro, his defence will have their work cut out to shackle in-form Sevilla striker Julio Baptista who cracked in four goals in his side's 5-2 victory over Racing.
VILLARREAL (10) v MURCIA (20)
Villarreal continued their impressive progress in the UEFA Cup with a 0-0 draw at home to regional rivals Valencia on Thursday and they should have little problem against relegated Murcia.
VALLADOLID (15) v REAL MALLORCA (17)
A tense encounter in prospect between two sides who have been dragged into the relegation dog-fight in recent weeks. Mallorca, who have not won in five, are now only two points above the drop zone while Valladolid are only one above them after their 1-1 draw at Deportivo.