Primera Liga matches, January 29-30

Barcelona will need to be on top form if they are to end the unbeaten home record of Sevilla and maintain their seven-point cushion at the top of the Primera Liga this Saturday (kickoff 2030 GMT).

The Catalans recovered from their mid-season wobble with an emphatic 3-0 win over Racing Santander last week, but are certain to face much stiffer resistance from a Sevilla side that have dropped just four points at their stadium this season.

"Sevilla have one of the best squads in the league," says Barca striker Samuel Eto'o. "They have a very tough defence who don't mind putting it about a bit, but if we want to be the best we have to get past players like them."

The Cameroon international, who leads the Primera Liga scoring charts with 15 goals, is confident his team are capable of resisting the pressure from the chasing pack led by arch-rivals Real Madrid.

"No matter what happens in Seville we'll still be leaders -- it's the teams that are behind us that have to worry, not us."

With a string of players still out with long-term injury problems, Barca have reinforced their squad with experienced Italian midfielder Demetrio Albertini, who could make his debut against the Andalucians.

But Argentine striker Maxi Lopez, who is set to sign for the club on Friday, is unlikely to get a run-out just yet.

Sevilla will be without centre-backs Pablo Ruiz and Javi Navarro, but the equally intimidating pairing of Aitor Ocio and Pablo Alfaro will step into the breach.

New signing Adriano Correia may get a chance to make his debut, while fellow Brazilian Julio Baptista will be looking to add to his tally of eight goals when he leads Sevilla's attack.

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

Saturday:

ATLETICO MADRID (11) v ALBACETE (17) 1900

After four games without a win, Atletico will be glad to be taking on Albacete at the Calderon where they have lost just once this season. Danish winger Jesper Gronkjaer has settled in well and new signing Richard Nunez has further boosted Atletico's attacking options.

Sunday:

ESPANYOL (5) v REAL BETIS (6)

Betis are on a roll after their 4-0 thumping of Numancia last week and have the added incentive of knowing that a win will see them leapfrog their opponents in the standings.

Espanyol lost 4-1 at Depor last week, but have been strong at home this term.

OSASUNA (9) v DEPORTIVO CORUNA (10)

Depor are hoping that their resounding 4-1 victory over Espanyol -- their first win in eight outings -- will signal a change in fortunes.

They will need to be on their guard, though, against an Osasuna side still licking their wounds after surrendering a 3-0 lead to lose 4-3 at Athletic Bilbao.

NUMANCIA (20) v REAL MADRID (2) 1800

Real should have little problem making it five wins in a row when they take on basement side Numancia.

David Beckham had his best game of the season after returning to the right wing last week, but it is not yet clear if coach Vanderlei Luxemburgo will retain the new diamond formation in midfield.

Argentine defender Walter Samuel is a doubt after breaking his nose during last week's 3-1 win over Mallorca.

RACING SANTANDER (18) v LEVANTE (13)

Relief for Levante boss Bernd Schuster after his side claimed their first win in 10 games with a 2-1 victory over Real Sociedad and he should have a good chance of repeating the trick against struggling Racing.

REAL MALLORCA (19) v GETAFE (14)

Hector Cuper's Mallorca are in serious trouble after taking just one point from their last six matches and must win this one if they are to revive their hopes of avoiding the drop.

Getafe claimed a handy 3-0 victory over Zaragoza last time out, but have not won away from home all season. The islanders will be without Italian defender Mark Iuliano who was sent off in last week's 3-1 defeat at Real Madrid.

REAL SOCIEDAD (15) v VILLARREAL (7)

Resounding victories over Barcelona, Valencia and Levante, make Villarreal the form side in Spain.

With the brilliant Juan Roman Riquelme directing affairs in midfield and the in-form Diego Forlan leading the attack, they should prove too strong for Sociedad who have not gained a point so far this year and are without striker Nihat Kahveci.

REAL ZARAGOZA (12) v MALAGA (16)

Malaga moved out of the drop zone and made it two wins out of two under new coach Antonio Tapia with last week's 1-0 victory at home to Atletico, but they are likely to find it harder going against a Zaragoza side who are anxious to bounce back after a stinging 3-0 defeat at Getafe.

VALENCIA (3) v ATHLETIC BILBAO (8) 2000

Valencia produced an uncharacteristically lame performance in their 3-1 defeat against regional rivals Villarreal last week and can ill afford another slip-up if they want to remain within striking distance of second-placed Real Madrid.

Athletic will be without inspirational midfielder Fran Yeste, who was the architect of last week's stunning 4-3 comeback win over Osasuna.