Primera Liga matches, January 31-February 1
Valencia face a test of character when they travel to Malaga on Saturday, after losing the league leadership and slipping out of the King's Cup with a run of three defeats in eight days.
Valencia face a test of character when they travel to Malaga on Saturday, after losing the league leadership and slipping out of the King's Cup with a run of three defeats in eight days.
Real Madrid were responsible for two of those defeats, following up a 3-0 win at the Bernabeu with a 2-1 success at Valencia on Wednesday to reach the King's Cup semi-finals on a stinging 5-1 aggregate.
Real were also the main beneficiaries of Valencia's 1-0 reverse at home to Osasuna last weekend, the reigning champions taking over at the top with a two-point lead thanks to their 2-1 win at home to Villarreal.
Defeat against Malaga on Saturday would hardly be fatal to Valencia's title chances, with almost half a season still to play, but coach Rafa Benitez is already playing down his side's chances of repeating their championship success of 2002.
"We need to get away from the idea that our objective is straightforwardly to win the league," Benitez said after Wednesday's Cup exit.
"Our target is to finish in the top four and from there challenge for the top prize."
Benitez is likely to give a place in the starting line-up to promising striker Xisco, who scored Valencia's first goal in four games during Wednesday's defeat by Real Madrid.
Malaga have also been in decline recently, with four successive defeats leaving them in 14th place in the table.
They have enjoyed several good home results this term, though, including a 5-1 win over Barcelona.
Other Primera Liga matches being played this weekend (league positions in brackets, kickoffs 1600 GMT unless stated):
Saturday:
ATLETICO MADRID (4) v OSASUNA (5) (1830)
Atletico, unbeaten in their last seven league games, can take an important step towards a Champions League place for next season with victory over rivals Osasuna but their hopes will not be helped by the absence of leading striker Fernando Torres.
The home side will in any case have to be wary of an awkward Osasuna side, who showed how dangerous they can be with a 1-0 win away to Valencia last weekend.
REAL BETIS (13) v CELTA VIGO (17) (2030)
New Celta coach Radomir Antic faces a tricky first test against a Betis side unbeaten in four games and slowly playing their way back into form.
Sunday:
BARCELONA (7) v ALBECETE (16) (1800)
Nothing less than victory will do for Barca coach Frank Rijkaard, following a dismal King's Cup exit against Real Zaragoza in midweek.
Rijkaard's task will be made harder by the absence through suspension of Brazilian playmaker Ronaldinho, although that loss could be offset slightly by the return of Andres Iniesta from injury.
DEPORTIVO CORUNA (3) v SEVILLA (15) (2000)
After a surprise defeat against Athletic Bilbao last week, Deportivo will need to win to stay involved in the title race. The return to full fitness of striker Diego Tristan and defender Joan Capdevila should be a boost.
Sevilla will have to adjust to life without their star forward Jose Antonio Reyes following his move to Arsenal. Julio Baptista and Dario Silva will look to make up for his absence in attack.
MURCIA (20) v REAL ZARAGOZA (18)
Murcia were unlucky not to take a point from their first game under John Toshack away to Racing Santander last week but there will be no excuses for the Welshman if they lose this one as well.
Zaragoza are in serious relegation trouble themselves but they will be on a high after making it past Barcelona and into the semi-finals of the King's Cup in midweek.
REAL MALLORCA (12) v ATHLETIC BILBAO (8)
New signing Andrija Delibasic made a highly promising debut in last week's 3-1 win at Zaragoza, scoring one goal and setting up another, and Mallorca will be confident of another win against a Bilbao side missing midfielder Tiko and with an injury doubt over defender Asier del Horno.
REAL SOCIEDAD (11) v RACING SANTANDER (9)
Sociedad have won four consecutive league games to revive their hopes of a place in Europe next year. The Basques will need Darko Kovacevic and Nihat Kahveci to maintain their sparkling form in attack to make it five straight wins, with Racing unbeaten in their last six league games.
VALLADOLID (10) v REAL MADRID (1)
Real best performance of the season came in a 7-2 victory over Valladolid at the Bernabeu back in September.
Carlos Queiroz's side have been struggling for that slick early season form but they showed admirable efficiency in seeing off Valencia in the quarter-finals of the King's Cup and Valladolid will not be relishing this return fixture.
VILLARREAL (6) v ESPANYOL (19)
Villarreal will be eager to atone for a poor performance in last week's defeat by Real Madrid by racking up a fourth successive home win. Espanyol have shown flashes of good form under Luis Fernandez but they have lost their last two and relegation is looking ever more likely.