Primera Liga matches, December 11-12
After finally securing their qualification for the knockout stages of the Champions League, Real Madrid are now turning their attention to domestic matters as they look to make up ground on runaway leaders Barcelona.
After finally securing their qualification for the knockout stages of the Champions League, Real Madrid are now turning their attention to domestic matters as they look to make up ground on runaway leaders Barcelona.
Trailing nine points behind the Catalans in the table, Real host a revived Real Sociedad at the Bernabeu on Sunday (kickoff 1800 GMT) knowing that nothing less than a victory will suffice.
Real have slipped to four defeats in their 14 league games so far this season, including a crushing 3-0 loss at the Nou Camp, and another one would allow their rivals to go into the winter break with an unexpectedly large advantage.
But coach Mariano Garcia Remon is convinced that an injury-blighted Barcelona will struggle to maintain their impressive form until the end of the season.
"I think it will be impossible for them to keep up this pace as they are heading for a record total of points and I can't see that happening," he said. "We have to keep on working and just wait for them to slip up."
Real were fortunate to come away with a point after their 0-0 draw at Villarreal last week, but they did manage to wrap up qualification with a 3-0 win over already eliminated Roma at the Olympic Stadium.
Real Sociedad have recovered their confidence after a poor start to the season and ended Betis's 10-match unbeaten run with a 1-0 victory last week.
They thrashed Real 4-1 at the Bernabeu at the end of last season and Turkish striker Nihat Kahveci says: "We have to battle away as usual and make the most of our chances and I'm sure we will get something from this match."
Other matches being played this weekend (league positions in brackets, kickoff times 1600 GMT unless stated):
Saturday:
ALBACETE (17) v BARCELONA (1) 1900
More injury worries for Barca coach Frank Rijkaard after Brazilian fullback Juliano Belletti picked up a minor ankle injury in Tuesday's 2-0 defeat by Shakhtar Donetsk.
French winger Ludovic Giuly is still struggling with a thigh problem and keeper Victor Valdes is doubtful because of flu. Despite the absences, the Catalans should still prove too strong for Albacete.
ATHLETIC BILBAO (15) v ATLETICO MADRID (6) 2100
Athletic have taken only one point from seven away games, but their home form has been very good and they should be able to count on the presence of leading midfielder Fran Yeste, who appears to have shaken off a throat infection.
Atletico will be missing midfielder Marcelo Sosa through suspension, but playmaker Ariel Ibagaza should return after two weeks out injured.
Sunday:
DEPORTIVO CORUNA (8) v SEVILLA (5)
Depor made a humiliating exit from the Champions League with a 5-0 defeat at home to Monaco, becoming the only team in the history of the competition to fail to score a goal in the first group phase.
They will be without suspended centre-back Cesar as they look to stop a Sevilla attack spearheaded by the in-form Brazilian striker Julio Baptista.
ESPANYOL (3) v REAL MALLORCA (18) 2000
Espanyol continued their dream start to the season with an impressive 1-0 victory away to Zaragoza last weekend, skipper Raul Tamudo marking his return from injury by scoring the winner.
Mallorca remain in the relegation zone despite a heroic 3-2 comeback win over Numancia, and they have only lost once since Hector Cuper took over as coach at the start of last month.
GETAFE (16) v VILLARREAL (14)
Villarreal have taken just one point from their last four games and will need to be on their guard against a Getafe side that have earned all but two of their points at home.
MALAGA (19) v LEVANTE (10)
Malaga coach Gregorio Manzano is in serious trouble after his team slumped to a sixth defeat in seven matches when they went down 4-0 to Barcelona at the Nou Camp last week.
Failure to win this one at home to an out-of-form Levante, who have not won in four, could see his tenure with the Andalucians brought to an abrupt conclusion.
OSASUNA (9) v REAL ZARAGOZA (11)
An inconsistent start to the season for both teams, but form favours Osasuna. The Navarrans have lost just one home game this season, while Zaragoza have yet to win away. Uruguayan midfielder Pablo Garcia is suspended for Osasuna.
REAL BETIS (7) v RACING SANTANDER (13)
Betis's 10-match unbeaten run was brought to an end with their 1-0 defeat at Real Sociedad last week and they will expect to be pushed hard by Racing, who were unfortunate to be deprived of a victory over Depor last time out.
VALENCIA (4) v NUMANCIA (20)
Like Depor, Valencia will also be looking to recover from an embarrassing departure from the Champions League.
A number of players as well as coach Claudio Ranieri lost their heads towards the end of their 2-0 defeat against Werder Bremen, but they will have a great chance to put things right against basement club Numancia.
Defender Roberto Ayala is likely to return to the squad after missing the first part of the season with a knee injury.