Primera Liga matches, April 30 and May 1
Brief previews of league matches in the Primera Liga this weekend (kickoff times 1500 GMT unless stated; league positions in brackets):
Brief previews of league matches in the Primera Liga this weekend (kickoff times 1500 GMT unless stated; league positions in brackets):
Saturday:
ATLETICO MADRID (8) v ATHLETIC BILBAO (9) 1800
Defeats for both teams last week left them well off the pace in the hunt for the European berths. Atletico will be marginal favourites given that they have only lost once at home this season.
NUMANCIA (20) v VALENCIA (6) 1800
A five-match unbeaten run has left last season's champions Valencia just a point off the Champions League places and winger Vicente may finally make a return to action after missing most of the season with an ankle injury. Defeat for Numancia could send them down.
REAL SOCIEDAD (12) v REAL MADRID (2) 2000
Despite winning five in a row, Real are still six points behind leaders Barcelona. Nothing less than victory will allow them to keep their title hopes alive, but they will have to make do without the suspended Zinedine Zidane, Walter Samuel and Michel Salgado.
Sociedad have won three out of their last four games and have a good record against Real at Anoeta in recent seasons.
Sunday:
BARCELONA (1) v ALBACETE (19) 1700
Barca will be strong favourites to take another step towards the title with a win over relegation-threatened Albacete who have lost seven in a row.
The Catalans will be without suspended playmaker Xavi, but defensive midfielder Rafael Marquez is back and leading scorer Samuel Eto'o looks to have put his injury worries behind him.
LEVANTE (17) v MALAGA (15)
Bernd Schuster's Levante are not out of the woods yet and need to garner a few more points to ensure they remain in the top flight for a second season.
Malaga, who lost 4-0 to Barcelona last week, will be missing suspended Brazilian striker Marcio Amoroso and injured midfielder Juan Rodriguez.
RACING SANTANDER (16) v REAL BETIS (7)
A four-match winless streak that culminated in a 3-2 defeat at home to Sociedad has left Betis out of the European places.
The Andalucians will be missing influential Brazilian forward Edu (torn thigh muscle) for this game against Racing who are still not clear of the threat of relegation despite last week's spectacular 4-1 win over Deportivo Coruna.
REAL MALLORCA (18) v ESPANYOL (4)
Espanyol continued their drive for a Champions League place with a classy 3-1 win at home to Zaragoza last week, but with Villarreal and Valencia breathing down their necks they cannot
afford to ease up.
Mallorca kept their slim hopes of survival alive with a 2-1 win at basement side Numancia, but it may have come too late.
REAL ZARAGOZA (11) v OSASUNA (13)
Osasuna's dramatic 3-2 win over Villarreal in midweek effectively ensured their survival in the top flight. Midfielder Valdo and defender Carlos Cuellar are both out for this one against mid-table Zaragoza.
SEVILLA (3) v DEPORTIVO CORUNA (10) 1900
Sevilla gained the edge in the race for a Champions League place with an impressive 3-1 win in Bilbao last week, while Depor's hopes of a European place faded badly after they were thrashed 4-1 at home by Racing Santander.
Depor coach Javier Irureta now looks unlikely to stay with the Galicians next season.
VILLARREAL (5) v GETAFE (14)
Villarreal's bid for a Champions League place has stalled badly after taking just two points from the last four games and they must win this one against Getafe if they are to keep their chances alive.
A win for Getafe would guarantee their survival in the top flight.