Primera Liga matches, January 24-25

Real Madrid will hope the ruthless 3-0 King's Cup victory over Valencia heralds a return to their best Primera Liga form, starting with Saturday's home clash against Villarreal.

Real have slipped to second place, a point behind Valencia, after taking a modest four points from their first three league games of the new year.

Those three matches have brought just two goals but strikers Ronaldo and Raul were at their lethal best against Valencia and the players expect normal service in the league to be resumed on Saturday.

"Beating Valencia has given us back the morale we lost in the last few games," Real keeper Iker Casillas told Radio Marca.

"We had the mix of qualities we've missed recently: aggression, competitiveness and teamwork."

Real coach Carlos Queiroz will have to do without midfielder Zinedine Zidane as the Frenchman is still recovering from a leg muscle strain but Brazil striker Ronaldo should recover from a thigh problem.

Queiroz will be wary of Villarreal who are flying high thanks largely to the form of Juan Roman Riquelme, the club's Argentine loan signing from Barcelona, and Brazilian forward Sonny Anderson, another former Barca player.

Villarreal held Real to a 1-1 draw earlier this season, with Anderson scoring a spectacular goal.

Other matches being played in the Primera Liga this weekend:

Playing Saturday:

ALBACETE vs. ATLETICO MADRID

Atletico are unbeaten in their last six league games but to extend that record they will need a big improvement on their display in a 4-0 Cup defeat by Sevilla in midweek.

Atletico will have Fernando Torres and Ariel Ibagaza back in the starting line-up. Albacete have an injury doubt over midfielder Alvaro Rubio, who has a back problem.

Playing Sunday:

ATHLETIC BILBAO vs. DEPORTIVO CORUNA

Deportivo played their way back into the title race with a 4-1 win over Real Zaragoza last week but their chances of staying up with the leaders could be hit by the absence of three strikers against Bilbao.

Walter Pandiani is definitely out with a knee injury, Albert Luque is a serious doubt with a bad back and Diego Tristan is struggling with a foot problem.

CELTA VIGO vs. REAL SOCIEDAD

Celta have more to lose in this battle between two sides still involved in the Champions League but struggling at home.

Celta coach Miguel Angel Lotina admitted he was getting worried about his side's leaky defence following a 4-2 defeat by second division Alaves in midweek. The positive out of that game was the performance of new Chilean striker Mauricio Pinilla, who scored both Celta goals.

Sociedad were down in the relegation mire with Celta going into the new year but have won their last three games and now look set to climb well clear of trouble.

ESPANYOL vs. REAL BETIS

Betis looked back close to their best in last weekend's 1-1 home draw with Real Madrid. If they can maintain that form they should be far too strong for Espanyol, who are right back in trouble after their 3-1 defeat at Real Sociedad.

MALAGA vs. VALLADOLID

Malaga should be boosted by the return of Uruguayan midfielder Marcelo Romero, who missed last week's defeat by Villarreal because of a knee injury. Valladolid's defence is in good shape, as shown in last week's goalless home draw with Valencia, but coach Fernando Vazquez is concerned about a lack of spark up front.

RACING SANTANDER vs. MURCIA

John Toshack's first game as Murcia coach looks to be a tricky one, with Racing unbeaten in their last five league games and pushing hard for a place in Europe next season.

REAL ZARAGOZA vs. REAL MALLORCA

Zaragoza showed an immediate improvement in their first match under new coach Victor Munoz, clinching a 1-0 Cup win over Barcelona at the Nou Camp. Former Real Madrid winger Savio has an ankle injury and is doubtful to face a Mallorca side without a win in five league games.

SEVILLA vs. BARCELONA

Sevilla will be bristling with confidence after their 4-0 Cup victory over Atletico, while Barcelona have to recover following a dismal 1-0 home defeat by Real Zaragoza.

Barca coach Frank Rijkaard will hope to have Andres Iniesta back in his midfield after 10 days out injured but Carles Puyol is still unavailable after breaking a cheekbone last week.

VALENCIA vs. OSASUNA

Valencia could only manage a goalless draw at Valladolid last weekend but they held on to the league leadership after Real Madrid failed to win.

After losing heavily to Real in the Cup, Rafa Benitez's side badly need a victory and a good performance but that will not be easy against a stubborn Osasuna side unbeaten in their last three league games and still with European hopes.