Primera Liga matches, February 5-6

Real Madrid coach Vanderlei Luxemburgo knows anything less than a sixth straight league win against Espanyol at home on Saturday (kickoff 2100 GMT) will ease the pressure on leaders Barcelona.

The Brazilian's appointment at the end of last year has coincided with a revival in Real's league fortunes although they will be tested by Espanyol, the season's surprise team.

"Real are behind in the race for the title and the only thing we can do is to keep winning and waiting," says Luxemburgo. "The players have to show that they have the hunger to win and must focus on each match."

Real eked out a 2-1 win over basement side Numancia last week, maintaining a seven-point gap with Barcelona who produced a devastating second-half performance to crush Sevilla 4-0.

Morale is high at Real and Luxemburgo appears to have grafted a more competitive edge on to a team which looked short of confidence at the start of the season.

"He makes us work hard and he organises the team perfectly," says David Beckham. "That's just what the team needed. Everyone is less agitated now that he is in charge."

Real will be boosted by the return of Ronaldo who missed last week's game after rushing back to Brazil because of a family illness. Espanyol will be without their inspirational centre-forward Raul Tamudo who is serving a one-match ban.

Espanyol beat Real 1-0 when the two sides met earlier this season and are riding high in fourth place after their best start in the league in a decade.

"We are in an enviable position in the league," says coach Miguel Angel Lotina. "We won't win the league but apart from that there is no limit to our ambition."

Other matches being played this weekend (league positions in brackets, kickoff times 1600 GMT unless stated):

Saturday:

REAL SOCIEDAD (15) v VALENCIA (3) 1900

Sociedad are in crisis after a fifth defeat in a row with last week's 4-0 drubbing at Villarreal. The Basques are unlikely to find any respite from Claudio Ranieri's Valencia who lost ground on the leading duo after drawing 2-2 at home to Bilbao last week.

Sunday (kickoffs 1600 GMT unless stated):

ALBACETE (18) v REAL ZARAGOZA (12)

A difficult one to call between two sides who have struggled to find any consistency this season. Albacete dropped into the relegation zone after their 3-1 defeat at Atletico. Zaragoza will be without talented midfielder Cani who scored the winner against Malaga last time out.

BARCELONA (1) v ATLETICO MADRID (9) 2000

Barca reasserted their championship credentials when they inflicted a first home defeat of the season on Sevilla with a 4-0 victory at the Sanchez Pizjuan.

They now face another stern test against an unspectacular and well-organised Atletico. With Ronaldinho back to his best and Samuel Eto'o in seemingly unstoppable form up front the Catalans should emerge with the points.

DEPORTIVO CORUNA (11) v ATHLETIC BILBAO (8) 1800

Mid-table obscurity beckons for Deportivo unless they can string together a few victories. With centre-forward Walter Pandiani going on loan to Birmingham City, striker Diego Tristan will be under pressure to rediscover his scoring form. Athletic have been boosted by their progress into the semi-finals of the Cup this week.

GETAFE (14) v NUMANCIA (20)

Numancia gave a spirited performance in their 2-1 defeat to Real Madrid last week. However, they need to start winning matches if they are to stand any chance of preserving their top flight status. Numancia have gleaned just one point away from home this season and are sure to be given a rough ride by a combative Getafe side.

LEVANTE (13) v SEVILLA (5)

Sevilla will be out to renew their bid for a place in the Champions League after their midweek exit from the Cup at the hands of Osusuna and should get the better of Bernd Schuster's side who are still without injured defender Ian Harte.

MALAGA (17) v REAL MALLORCA (19)

A tense contest is guaranteed between two sides battling to stave off relegation.

Hector Cuper's Mallorca remain in deep trouble despite claiming their first victory in seven outings with a 3-1 win at home to Getafe last week. Malaga are only four points ahead of them following their defeat at Zaragoza.

REAL BETIS (7) v OSASUNA (10)

An intriguing clash in prospect between two teams that reached the semi-finals of the Cup earlier in the week. Betis twice came from behind to earn a 2-2 draw at Espanyol last week and have lost only once at home this term. Osasuna can count on a fit-again Savo Milosevic to lead their streetwise attack.

VILLARREAL (6) v RACING SANTANDER (16)

The form side in Spain at the moment, Villarreal made it four wins in a row with their 4-0 trouncing of Sociedad last time out.

With former Barcelona player Juan Roman Riquelme directing affairs in midfield and Uruguayan striker Diego Forlan knocking in the goals up front the Mediterranean side look much too strong for struggling Racing.