Primera Liga matches, January 10-11
Real Sociedad, last season's runners-up, are hoping to confirm a long-awaited revival in form when they entertain league leaders and defending champions Real Madrid at Anoeta on Saturday.
Real Sociedad, last season's runners-up, are hoping to confirm a long-awaited revival in form when they entertain league leaders and defending champions Real Madrid at Anoeta on Saturday.
Sociedad have been a shadow of the side that were pipped to the title by Real on the final day of last season and have struggled to find the fluency that made them such an attractive side to watch but are now looking to turn the corner.
Raynald Denoueix's side hauled themselves out of the relegation zone last week with a 2-1 victory at Malaga to claim their first win in 10 games but will have their work cut out to repeat the trick against Real who have won five on the trot.
"Beating Real would give us a massive boost in confidence that would help us forget the bad run we've had," Sociedad striker Darko Kovacevic told reporters this week.
"The fans would be able to get behind the team and we would be able to face our next games with renewed enthusiasm."
The Basque side have an impressive recent record against Real at Anoeta, sweeping their opponents aside with a whirlwind 4-2 win last season and helping deny them the title with an emphatic 3-0 victory the year before.
Although he has been struggling to find the net this term, Kovacevic has always done well against Real, scoring nine goals in nine games against the team from the capital.
"I really hope I can score another one against Real and help the team to an important win," said the powerful centre-forward who returns to the team after injury.
Real, who are two points clear of Valencia at the top of the table, will be without David Beckham after the midfielder injured his ankle during an unimpressive 1-0 win over lowly Murcia at the Bernabeu last week.
Beckham apart, coach Carlos Queiroz will have a full strength side at his disposal as the champions look to continue their perfect start to the New Year.
Other matches being played this weekend:
Saturday:
ALBACETE vs. VALENCIA
Four wins on the trot have allowed Valencia to keep pace with Real Madrid at the top of the table and they will be favourites to make it five as they visit Albacete who will be without leading scorer Carlos Aranda as he serves a ban after being sent off in last week's 2-0 defeat at Sevilla.
REAL MALLORCA vs. CELTA VIGO
After a humiliating 5-0 thrashing at home to Galician rivals Deportivo last week, Celta went some way to recovering their pride with a 1-0 win over Malaga in the King's Cup.
They will be hopeful of a first league win in six outings when the visit the islanders, who have lost three in a row and will be without their most dangerous player Samuel Eto'o after he was sent off during last week's defeat at Espanyol.
Sunday:
ATLETICO MADRID vs. ATHLETIC BILBAO
After three draws in a row, Atletico will be looking for a win over poor travellers Bilbao if they are to renew their bid for a Champions League place. Greek striker Demis Nikolaidis could return to partner Fernando Torres up front after recovering from minor back surgery.
BARCELONA vs. REAL ZARAGOZA
Barca followed up their 3-0 defeat at Racing Santander with a morale-sapping 1-0 first-leg loss at Levante in the King's Cup. The Catalans have won just once in their last seven league matches and have only tasted victory twice at home all season.
Versatile midfielder Luis Enrique is out and Dutch forwards Marc Overmars and Patrick Kluivert are doubtful.
Zaragoza have now gone six league games without a win and should call on Goran Drulic, who scored twice in the 3-1 victory over Betis in the Cup.
DEPORTIVO CORUNA vs. RACING SANTANDER
Despite their 5-0 win at local rivals Celta last week, Depor will be on their guard against an attack-minded Racing, who have won on three of their last four visits to the Riazor and cracked three goals past Barca last week.
Uruguayan striker Walter Pandiani is out with a knee injury, leaving Diego Tristan to lead the Depor attack.
MURCIA vs. ESPANYOL
A classic relegation six-pointer is in prospect between the two bottom clubs. Murcia, who have won just once since returning to the top flight, were unlucky to lose at Real Madrid last week but Espanyol enjoyed a rare 2-0 home win over Mallorca.
OSASUNA vs. SEVILLA
Osasuna have gone off the boil a little in recent games and will need to get back to their best to stop a confident Sevilla led by in-form Brazilian striker Julio Baptista.
REAL BETIS vs. MALAGA
Betis have won just once in 10 outings and coach Victor Fernandez is under even more pressure after they slumped to a 3-1 defeat at Zaragoza in the Cup. Failure to beat in-form Andalucian rivals Malaga could cost the Betis boss his job.
VILLARREAL vs. VALLADOLID
An intriguing clash is in prospect between two of the most well-organised sides in the league. Valladolid have lost just once in their last 11 matches while Villarreal have only been beaten once at home this season. The hosts will be without suspended defenders Fabrizio Coloccini and Sergio Ballesteros.