Primera Liga matches, December 2-4

Champions Real Madrid embark upon what could prove to be a make-or-break month in their season when they take on city rivals Atletico in the Madrid derby at the Bernabeu on Wednesday.

Real follow the Atletico game with a trip to the hostile environment of the Nou Camp to face Barcelona on Saturday and then entertain Portuguese champions Porto in a game to decide the winner of their Champions League group.

Before the Christmas break they also have to pit themselves against title rivals Deportivo Coruna, an improving Mallorca and play a King's Cup match against second division neighbours Leganes.

The success or failure of Real's season is likely to depend in large measure on how they come through their gruelling December schedule.

Although they remain level on points with leaders Valencia at the top of the table, Real have been far from impressive in recent matches and have relied on flashes of individual brilliance from their star-studded squad to get them out of trouble.

Real were out-thought, out-fought and out-played by modest Osasuna at the weekend, and it was only a superb solo goal from Ronaldo -- the Brazilian's 10th of the season -- that allowed them to emerge from the match with a point.

Admittedly leading players Zinedine Zidane, Luis Figo and Roberto Carlos had decided to give the trip northwards a miss because of minor injury niggles, but coach Carlos Queiroz must be concerned at his side's sequence of below-par performances.

David Beckham, who provided the scoring pass for Ronaldo's goal at the weekend, should play despite an ankle problem.

After a poor start to the season, Gregorio Manzano's men are on a roll, notching six wins in their last seven games and the Atletico coach finally looks to have settled on his best starting line-up.

With the tireless Demis Nikolaidis now accompanying Fernando Torres up front, Atletico now have more sting in attack, while they also have a more balanced look in midfield and at the back than last year.

Real, though, have won six out of six league games this season at the Bernabeu and Atletico will have their work cut out if they are to end the champions' perfect home record.

Other matches being played this week:

Tuesday:

REAL SOCIEDAD vs. VALENCIA

A 3-2 win over Zaragoza was enough to send Rafa Benitez's Valencia back to the top on goal difference at the weekend, but they are sure to have a tough time of it against Sociedad, who have only lost once at the Anoeta in the last 20 months.

The Basque side have now gone five games without a win and need a victory if they are to prevent themselves being dragged down into the relegation zone.

Wednesday:

CELTA VIGO vs. ALBACETE

A 1-0 win away to Sevilla on Sunday -- their first in five outings -- took some of the pressure off Celta, but the Galicians have a poor record at home this season and will need to beat fellow strugglers Albacete if they are to prove they have turned the corner.

ESPANYOL vs. OSASUNA

Osasuna paid the price for their failure to convert a hatful of opportunities against Real Madrid and emerged with just a point from a game they should really have won, but they should prove too powerful for Espanyol, who remain anchored to the bottom of the table after a 2-1 defeat at Albacete.

MALAGA vs. BARCELONA

Shorn of ideas in attack without the injured Ronaldinho, Barca will need to make a major improvement on their performance after their disappointing 0-0 draw at home to Valladolid if they are to claim their first win in three games against a determined but unexceptional Malaga side.

REAL BETIS vs. MURCIA

A 2-1 defeat away to Mallorca means Betis have taken just one point from their last five games and coach Victor Fernandez will find himself under severe pressure if his side do not end their poor run of form against Murcia, who despite their lowly position have looked in better shape of late.

VALLADOLID vs. DEPORTIVO CORUNA

Deportivo have lacked their usual fluency in recent games and missed out on another opportunity to regain top spot with a 1-0 defeat at home to Villarreal on Sunday. Striker Diego Tristan now looks to have recovered from injury, but midfield enforcer Mauro Silva is suspended after his sending off.

Valladolid have now extended their unbeaten run to six games, and with the towering Ariza Makukula up front they could upset Depor's plans.

VILLARREAL vs. REAL MALLORCA

An intriguing match in prospect between two teams that have been in fine form in recent weeks. Mallorca notched their third win in a row with a 2-1 victory over Betis, while Villarreal have produced gritty performances to beat Barca and Deportivo in their last two outings.

Thursday:

RACING SANTANDER vs. SEVILLA

Lucas Alcaraz's Racing continue to impress with their entertaining brand of attacking football and it will be interesting to see how they manage against the abrasive Sevilla back four.

REAL ZARAGOZA vs. ATHLETIC BILBAO

Defeats for both sides at the weekend are set to ensure a hard-fought and intense encounter at La Romareda. Zaragoza fought back well from a three goal deficit at Valencia, but ended up losing 3-2 to the leaders, while Athletic surrendered an early lead to lose 2-1 to Racing.

The Basques will have the benefit of having influential winger Joseba Etxeberria back from suspension.