Primera Liga matches, February 28-29
A Celta Vigo side beset by injuries and haunted by the threat of relegation will visit Real Madrid on Sunday more in hope than expectation (kickoff 1800 GMT).
A Celta Vigo side beset by injuries and haunted by the threat of relegation will visit Real Madrid on Sunday more in hope than expectation (kickoff 1800 GMT).
Celta and Real had wildly contrasting fortune in Champions League first knock-out round action in midweek.
Real turned in one of their worst performances of the season at Bayern Munich on Tuesday yet still managed to grab a 1-1 draw thanks to an appalling error from goalkeeper Oliver Kahn.
Celta, meanwhile, outplayed Arsenal at times during their meeting in the north of Spain yet found themselves with little chance of making the quarter-finals after losing 3-2.
While Real have a five-point lead at the top, Celta are back in relegation trouble in 16th place, just a point ahead of the drop zone, after a shoddy 2-0 defeat at home to Malaga last weekend.
The continued absences of injured first-choice players such as Jesuli, Juanfran, Everton Giovanella and Gustavo Lopez will hardly help their chances against a Real side unbeaten at home all season.
"We have important players missing but we have to play our way out of this," said coach Radomir Antic, who took over from Miguel Angel Lotina last month.
"All my players need to be aware that the situation is serious and that we need to be strong."
While Celta face an imminent exit from Europe followed by a scrap to avoid the drop, Real are on course for a treble, with the second leg against Bayern on March 10 at the Bernabeu and the King's Cup final against Real Zaragoza a week later.
Valencia, in second place, and Deportivo Coruna, just behind and six points off the leaders, are struggling to maintain Real's furious title pace.
Real coach Carlos Queiroz has no injury worries and, with a blank week coming up, he should have no problems fielding his full-strength side.
Other matches being played in the Primera Liga this weekend (league positions in brackets, kickoff times 1600 GMT unless stated):
Saturday:
REAL BETIS (7) v SEVILLA (10) 2030
Betis have taken 12 points from their last five games to revive their hopes of a place in Europe next season but Sevilla are also in excellent form, with three successive league wins, and this local derby looks too close to call.
VALLADOLID (14) v REAL ZARAGOZA (17) 1830
Zaragoza climbed out of the relegation places with last week's 4-1 win over Villarreal and should be confident of another success against a Valladolid side in free fall since injury deprived them of leading striker Ariza Makukula.
Sunday:
DEPORTIVO CORUNA (3) v BARCELONA (4) 2000
Barcelona have won five league games in a row and a sixth here on Sunday would strengthen their claims to a return to the Champions League. Edgar Davids should be back in midfield after being suspended against Valencia last weekend.
Deportivo, who were solid if unspectacular in their 1-0 victory over Juventus in the Champions League in midweek, need a win to stay on the coat tails of Real Madrid in the title race.
ESPANYOL (19) v VALENCIA (2)
After an unfortunate 1-1 draw at Real Madrid and a 1-0 defeat at home to Barcelona, Valencia badly need to reassert their authority at relegation candidates Espanyol.
Valencia's Italian full-back Amedeo Carboni will be suspended following his red card against Barcelona.
MALAGA (11) v RACING SANTANDER (12)
Malaga have escaped the relegation battle with a couple of wins and another good result here could put them back in the race for Europe.
MURCIA (20) v OSASUNA (9)
Bottom club Murcia look down and out after last week's defeat against Albacete but mid-table Osasuna are also in decline after a bright start to the season and John Toshack's side will hold out some hope of getting a positive result.
REAL MALLORCA (15) v ATLETICO MADRID (6)
Atletico have drifted away from the fight for a Champions League place after taking just three points from their last five games and will be wary of a Mallorca side that roared to a 3-0 win away to Spartak Moscow in the UEFA Cup on Thursday.
REAL SOCIEDAD (13) v ALBACETE (18)
Sociedad were lucky to get away with a 1-0 home defeat in their Champions League clash with a stylish Olympique Lyon side this week but should have fewer problems against lowly Albacete, who could have Carlos Roa back in goal after injury.
VILLARREAL (8) v ATHLETIC BILBAO (5)
Villarreal will have caretaker coach Paquito in charge after the shock resignation of Benito Floro earlier this week.
A tiring 2-2 draw at Galatasaray in the UEFA Cup on Thursday could take its toll against Bilbao, who are looking increasingly strong candidates for Europe.