Primera Liga matches, March 19-20
Barcelona can take a commanding 14-point lead at the top of the Primera Liga on Saturday if they can overcome a resurgent Deportivo Coruna at the Riazor.
Barcelona can take a commanding 14-point lead at the top of the Primera Liga on Saturday if they can overcome a resurgent Deportivo Coruna at the Riazor.
With second-placed Real Madrid not playing Malaga until Sunday, Frank Rijkaard's side have the chance to crank up the pressure on their rivals, who suffered a demoralising 2-1 defeat at lowly Getafe last Sunday.
The league leaders responded to their Champions League exit to Chelsea last week with a morale-boosting 2-0 win over Athletic Bilbao last weekend, but are taking nothing for granted with 10 games left to play this season.
"The league isn't decided yet, and we can only claim it as ours when it has actually been won," Ronaldinho told sports daily Mundo Deportivo.
"We are aware that we still have a lot of weaknesses and we will continue to have the utmost respect for all the rivals we have yet to play."
Ronaldinho and Deco have suffered with gastroenteritis during the week while Demetrio Albertini and Rafael Marquez have had slight muscle strains but all are expected to be available on Saturday.
Ninth-placed Deportivo are looking to claw their way back into the European places after rediscovering some form of late claiming 10 points from a possible 12 in recent weeks.
The arrival of Argentine defender Fabricio Coloccini from AC Milan in January has helped strengthen Depor at the back and they have only conceded one goal in their last four outings.
Other matches being played this weekend (kickoff times 1600 GMT unless stated; league positions in brackets):
Saturday:
ESPANYOL (4) v REAL SOCIEDAD (13) 1900
With third-placed Villarreal playing in the UEFA Cup on Sunday, Espanyol have the opportunity to move up to third if they can beat an inconsistent Real Sociedad. Barcelona-based Espanyol need to recover from a 4-1 humbling against Villarreal last time out.
REAL BETIS (5) v ALBACETE (19) 1700
Real Betis can put themselves in the Champions League places with a win over relegation-threatened Albacete, who have lost five of their last six games.
The Andalucians will be without injured midfielder Capi.
Sunday:
ATHLETIC BILBAO (10) v LEVANTE (14)
Bilbao's season is in danger of falling apart as they have suffered three league defeats in four games since Austria Vienna knocked them out of the UEFA Cup last month.
Levante defender Alexis is suspended while Bilbao are without defender Aitor Karanka who will miss the rest of the season with a knee ligament injury.
NUMANCIA (20) v RACING SANTANDER (16)
Rock-bottom Numancia are making a brave bid to avoid relegation with only one defeat in five and can drag struggling Racing Santander closer the drop zone with a win in Soria.
Racing have not collected three points on the road since October.
REAL MADRID (2) v MALAGA (15) 1800
If Real Madrid are to have any chance of cutting Barcelona's lead at the top they need to win at home against the likes of Malaga.
Last weekend's defeat at Getafe highlighted a lack of commitment and a much improved performance will be expected against a side who have hustled themselves into mid-table in recent weeks.
Defender Michel Salgado could return to action though Thomas Gravesen is suspended, while Juanito is suspended for the visitors.
REAL MALLORCA (18) v SEVILLA (6)
Sevilla have to pick themselves up from their UEFA Cup exit to Parma on Thursday and focus on securing a return to Europe again next year.
Joaquin Caparros' side have only taken two points from their last five games and are in danger of slipping out of the UEFA Cup places. Mallorca have lost four of their last five games, and have defender Poli suspended.
REAL ZARAGOZA (11) v ATLETICO MADRID (8) 2000
Wins over Sevilla and Valencia have re-energised Atletico Madrid's bid for a place in Europe though they are deprived of suspended winger Jesper Gronkjaer and have Luis Perea, Ariel Ibagaza and Salva Ballesta out with injuries.
Zaragoza have to get over Thursday's UEFA Cup exit to Austria Vienna if they are to stay in the hunt for Europe.
VALENCIA (7) v GETAFE (12)
An emotional victory over Real Madrid last Sunday, and their first away win of the season in Bilbao on Wednesday, means Getafe travel to the Mestalla in confident mood.
Valencia, who suffered their first defeat under coach Antonio Lopez last Sunday against Atletico Madrid, will be without defender Armedeo Carboni.
Osasuna v Villarreal is postponed due to Villarreal's UEFA Cup tie against Steaua Bucharest.