Primera Liga matches, January 3-4

Valencia's hopes of keeping up Real Madrid's heady title pace rest on claiming victory from a tricky derby game at home to Villarreal on Sunday.

Valencia, league champions in 2002, managed to stay within two points of Real in second spot going into the short festive break with a nervy 1-0 win at home to Sevilla in their last league game in December.

Real are at home to relegation candidates Murcia on Saturday and it will be a major surprise if they have not stretched that lead to five points by the time Valencia kick off against their Mediterranean rivals, based 60 kms up the coast.

Villarreal, who won the corresponding fixture 2-1 last season, have climbed up to fifth this term with victories over Real Sociedad and Real Betis and Valencia are wary of the threat they will pose at Mestalla on Sunday.

"We know that Villarreal will arrive in good form," Valencia's Argentine midfielder Pablo Aimar said this week.

"We need to win this game. Real Madrid are two points ahead and we can't afford to lose any further ground."

Other Primera Liga matches being played this weekend:

Saturday:

CELTA VIGO vs. DEPORTIVO CORUNA

Celta need a victory from this Galician derby to inspire a move away from the relegation zone, while Depor cannot afford to lose any further ground on top two Real Madrid and Valencia.

Fullback Juanfran (knee) and midfielder Gustavo Lopez ('flu) are both doubts for struggling Celta.

REAL MADRID vs. MURCIA

Real won their last four league games of 2003 to move clear at the top of the table and the reigning champions should have little difficulty making that five successive victories against Murcia.

Coach Carlos Queiroz will have his first choice side available, with David Beckham now recovered from the thigh injury that kept him out of the 3-1 win away to Real Mallorca in the club's final game before the holidays.

REAL ZARAGOZA vs. ATLETICO MADRID

Zaragoza scored a valuable victory away to Osasuna to move clear of the relegation places and they will go into the new year with renewed hope of preserving their top flight status.

Atletico will provide another tough test but their attack will be weakened by the absence of injured Greek striker Demis Nikolaidis.

Playing Sunday:

ATHLETIC BILBAO vs. OSASUNA

Bilbao signed off from 2003 with a drab draw away to Albacete and they will be anxious to find a bit more spark on their return to action against Osasuna, who will be hit by the absence of Ivory Coast striker Ibrahima Bakayoko with a right leg injury.

ESPANYOL vs. REAL MALLORCA

Espanyol coach Luis Fernandez could pitch Argentine centre-back Mauricio Pochettino straight into the team following his loan move from Girondins Bordeaux.

Mallorca will be boosted by the presence of leading scorer Samuel Eto'o, who has returned from a pre-Olympic date with Cameroon in time to play.

MALAGA vs. REAL SOCIEDAD

Malaga, who could have goalkeeper Francesc Arnau back in the squad after a lengthy injury, will start as strong favourites against a Sociedad side in desperate league form and further hit by the absence through injury of striker Darko Kovacevic.

RACING SANTANDER vs. BARCELONA

Barcelona, needing to win to get back in the hunt for a Champions League place, have Dutch pair Marc Overmars and Patrick Kluivert doubtful through injury.

Sergio Garcia, who scored twice for Catalunya in a game against Ecuador at the Nou Camp over the holidays, could be given a start if Kluivert fails to recover in time.

SEVILLA vs. ALBACETE

Sevilla were boosted over the holiday season when Mexican midfielder Gerardo Torrado obtained Spanish citizenship, finally making him eligible to play. Albacete will be without the suspended French midfielder Ludovic Delporte.

VALLADOLID vs. REAL BETIS

Valladolid held on to a place in the top half of the table with an excellent 3-1 win over Real Sociedad in their last game before the break and they will have little fear of the visit of Real Betis, another big club in relegation trouble.

The visitors could give a game to former Barcelona striker Alfonso, who has recovered from a series of injuries.