Primera Liga matches, March 27-28
Ronaldo's back, and league leaders Real Madrid will want to take full advantage of their leading striker's return when they host Sevilla on Sunday (kickoff 1900 GMT).
Ronaldo's back, and league leaders Real Madrid will want to take full advantage of their leading striker's return when they host Sevilla on Sunday (kickoff 1900 GMT).
The Bernabeu match will give Real a chance to exact revenge for their humiliating 4-1 defeat by Sevilla in November and keep their noses in front of Valencia at the top of the Primera Liga.
After two draws and a 4-2 defeat at Athletic Bilbao last weekend, Real's lead has been whittled down from eight points to just one.
Ronaldo reappeared after a thigh injury in Wednesday's Champions League quarter-final, first leg against Monaco, winning his side a penalty and scoring a late goal in the convincing 4-2 victory.
Real will be without Portuguese midfielder Luis Figo, who has been in outstanding form but is suspended for this match.
Despite losing their last two league matches Sevilla remain 10th and they are one of the few teams who have not been overawed by playing the champions.
They also beat Real 1-0 in the second leg of their Cup semi-final in Seville although it was not enough to stop them going out of the competition 2-1 on aggregate.
"At the start you always have respect for Real Madrid because of their name," says coach Joaquin Caparros. "But the fact that we have played them before and have won on two occasions gives us extra confidence."
Other Primera Liga matches being played this weekend (league positions in brackets; kickoffs 1500 GMT unless stated):
Saturday:
ESPANYOL (19) v ATHLETIC BILBAO (5) 2030
Bilbao stayed on course for a UEFA Cup place after their impressive 4-2 win at home against Real Madrid but they face a tough game against struggling Espanyol who should be able to count on leading striker Raul Tamudo and midfielder Ivan de la Pena.
REAL SOCIEDAD (14) v DEPORTIVO CORUNA (4) 1830
Depor ended their run of three league defeats with a 1-0 win over Murcia last week. However, an emphatic 4-1 defeat by European champions AC Milan in the Champions League will have done little to restore their confidence.
Sociedad, who fell victim to a last-gasp Ronaldinho free kick at Barcelona on Sunday, are not yet out of the woods and need all the points they can get.
Sunday:
CELTA VIGO (18) v REAL ZARAGOZA (16)
Celta's 4-4 draw at Racing Santander earned Radomir Antic's side their first point in five games. They remain four adrift of Mallorca and must win this home game against the Cup winners if they are to have a realistic chance of leaving the drop zone.
MALAGA (8) v ALBACETE (15)
In-form Malaga striker Salva earned a recall to the Spain squad this week thanks to his tally of 17 league goals. The presence of the combative centre-forward has allowed the Andalucians to punch above their weight this season and they should have the edge in this one.
MURCIA (20) v REAL MALLORCA (17)
Ten points adrift at the bottom of the table, John Toshack's Murcia are heading for a rapid return to the second division. Opponents Mallorca are also in trouble after just one win in their last eight matches.
The islanders' confidence will be at an all-time low after their 5-1 hammering by Valencia and their 7-1 aggregate defeat at the hands of Newcastle United on Thursday.
RACING SANTANDER (12) v VALENCIA (2)
Valencia moved to within a point of Real after steam-rollering Mallorca 5-1 last week. However, the match against Santander is a potential banana skin for Rafa Benitez's men. Racing have a wonderfully talented forward line and although they are unpredictable at the back they have proved they can cause problems to the best of sides.
REAL BETIS (11) v BARCELONA (3) 1700
After their exit from the UEFA Cup, Barca can now focus all their attentions on the race for the league title.
A nine-match unbeaten run has allowed them to move to within six points of leaders Real, yet they may struggle up front if they cannot negotiate a late departure for Javier Saviola who has been called up for international duty with Argentina.
VALLADOLID (13) v OSASUNA (7)
A 2-1 win over Villarreal kept Osasuna in the hunt for a UEFA Cup place and their chances of another victory have been boosted by the return of Ivory Coast striker Ibrahima Bakayoko from injury. Valladolid have been in unpredictable form this season, but are more than capable of producing an upset.
VILLARREAL (9) v ATLETICO MADRID (6)
Villarreal's impressive win against Roma in the UEFA Cup is likely to take its toll on their small squad. Forward Jose Mari, playmaker Juan Roman Riquelme and midfielder Sebastian Battaglia are all suspended. Atletico will be relying on striker Fernando Torres to continue his fine form in front of goal.