Primera Liga matches, December 4-5
Real Madrid head to Villarreal this Sunday (kickoff 1800 GMT) without a string of first-choice players as they keep one eye on next week's decisive Champions League clash against AS Roma.
Real Madrid head to Villarreal this Sunday (kickoff 1800 GMT) without a string of first-choice players as they keep one eye on next week's decisive Champions League clash against AS Roma.
Zinedine Zidane, Roberto Carlos and Raul will all sit out the Primera Liga game, leaving the way open for Santiago Solari, Raul Bravo and Michael Owen to step into the starting line-up.
Midfielders Luis Figo and Guti will also be missing after they were booked during last week's 5-0 victory over Levante.
These two absences mean that David Beckham will continue on the right wing, while 17-year-old Javi Garcia will make his league debut in the middle alongside Albert Celades.
Real racked up four goals in the space of 12 minutes against Levante but they have yet to rediscover the fluent, free-flowing football that once characterised the team's play.
Opponents Villarreal have lost their last three games on the trot, but have only been defeated once at home this season and will have been boosted by their 1-1 draw at Partizan Belgrade on Thursday, a result that secured their place in the last 32 of the UEFA Cup.
Manuel Pellegrini's side have been strengthened by the recent additions of two Argentine internationals, defender Juan Pablo Sorin and striker Luciano Figueroa.
Other matches being played this weekend (league positions in brackets, kickoff times 1600 GMT unless stated):
Saturday:
ALBACETE (16) v VALENCIA (4) 1700
Valencia notched their second league win in a row with their 2-0 victory over Mallorca last week and appear to be recovering their confidence following a wretched run of form.
Injuries continue to put a blight on the team's progress, though, with midfielder Momo Sissoko the latest addition to a lengthy list.
BARCELONA (1) v MALAGA (18) 1900
Leaders Barca made hard work of their 2-1 victory at Getafe last week, but they have won six out of six at the Nou Camp this season and should find it easier going against a Malaga side that have lost five out of their last six matches.
French winger Ludovic Giuly strained a thigh muscle in a midweek charity match so highly rated youngster Andres Iniesta should step in to the starting line-up.
REAL SOCIEDAD (13) v REAL BETIS (5) 2100
Betis extended their unbeaten run to 10 matches with a 2-1 win over Villarreal last time out with Brazilian striker Ricardo Oliveira taking his tally for the season to eight.
But Sociedad have staged impressive fightbacks in their last two games and will be able to count on the services of the influential Valery Karpin after the winger had a yellow card withdrawn on appeal.
Sunday:
ATLETICO MADRID (9) v OSASUNA (7) 2000
Atletico's flattering ninth place in the standings is due to their unbeaten record at home this season but they will do well to extend their run against a gritty Osasuna who claimed an impressive 4-1 victory over Sevilla last week.
LEVANTE (10) v GETAFE (17)
The bubble appears to have burst for Levante, who were dealt a third successive defeat with their 5-0 thrashing at the Bernabeu.
Bernd Schuster's side need to get back to basics against a no-nonsense Getafe if they want to avoid dropping further down the table.
RACING SANTANDER (14) v DEPORTIVO CORUNA (8)
Depor will be short of firepower after Albert Luque joined Diego Tristan on the injured list last week while winger Pedro Munitis picked up a yellow card which means he will miss out against his old club.
Coach Javier Irureta should, however, be able to count on Uruguayan centre forward Walter Pandiani who has recovered from a back injury.
REAL MALLORCA (20) v NUMANCIA (19)
Mallorca were dealt their first defeat since Hector Cuper took charge at the start of last month when they went down 2-0 to his former club Valencia, while Numancia moved above them in the standings after a 2-1 win against Zaragoza, their second win in three games.
REAL ZARAGOZA (11) v ESPANYOL (3)
Espanyol continued their strong start to the season with a 2-1 win over Atletico .
They will be boosted by the return of leading striker Maxi Rodriguez after suspension as they take on a Zaragoza side who have gone off the boil in recent weeks and have not won in their last four outings.
SEVILLA (6) v ATHLETIC BILBAO (12)
Sevilla will want to bounce back from their 4-1 trouncing at Osasuna last week with a convincing performance at home against Athletic who have yet to win away this term.
Sevilla secured their place in the last 32 of the UEFA Cup with a 3-2 win over AEK Athens on Thursday, while Athletic also look to be heading into the next round after their 1-0 win over Steaua Bucharest.