Primera Liga matches, March 6-7
Valencia host Deportivo Coruna in the Primera Liga on Saturday (kickoff 2030 GMT) and both sides know defeat could spell the end for their title hopes.
Valencia host Deportivo Coruna in the Primera Liga on Saturday (kickoff 2030 GMT) and both sides know defeat could spell the end for their title hopes.
With 12 games left, Valencia trail leaders Real Madrid by eight points and Deportivo are a point further back in third.
The two teams also have resurgent Barcelona to worry about in the race for second place and direct Champions League qualification, with the Catalans up to fourth, four points behind Deportivo, after six successive league wins.
Valencia had a convincing 2-0 victory over Besiktas of Turkey in the UEFA Cup in midweek and the players are hoping that performance proves to be a turning point.
"We went into the UEFA Cup game on a bad run of results," said midfielder Miguel Angel Angulo.
"This should help us to get back to the way we were playing earlier in the season and stay close to Real Madrid."
Deportivo travel to Turin next week to defend a 1-0 lead in the second leg of their Champions League clash with Juventus and know they are entering a crucial period of the season.
"We have three away games coming up, starting with Valencia, and those results will go a long way towards deciding our season," said midfielder Mauro Silva.
Other Primera Liga matches being played this weekend (league positions in brackets):
Saturday (kickoff times 1830 GMT unless stated):
CELTA VIGO (18) v ESPANYOL (19)
Celta Vigo, preparing for a Champions League trip to Arsenal next week, cannot afford to lose against another side in deep relegation trouble. Celta coach Radomir Antic hopes to have defenders Eduardo Berizzo and Juan Velasco back in his squad after injury.
OSASUNA (7) v REAL SOCIEDAD (13)
Osasuna welcome back midfielder Pablo Garcia after a two-match suspension against under-performing Real Sociedad, who need a good result before next week's Champions League return against Olympique Lyon.
RACING SANTANDER (12) v REAL MADRID (1)
Racing need to be at their peak to get something from this game against a Real Madrid side in unstoppable domestic form. Racing's chances will be boosted by the absence through suspension of Real defenders Francisco Pavon and Michel Salgado.
Real may also be distracted by next week's Champions League clash with Bayern Munich, one of the biggest grudge matches in European football.
Sunday (kickoff times 1600 GMT unless stated):
ALBACETE (16) v REAL BETIS (8)
Albacete clinched an outstanding 1-0 win at Real Sociedad last week to edge away from the relegation places but a Betis side in excellent form over the second half of the season will provide a much greater threat.
ATHLETIC BILBAO (5) v VALLADOLID (15)
Bilbao stayed in the hunt for the Champions League with a gritty 1-0 win away to Villarreal last week and should have few problems gaining another victory against a Valladolid side seemingly unable to cope without their injured striker Ariza Makukula.
ATLETICO MADRID (6) v MURCIA (20) (2000)
Murcia are in desperate need of a win to retain any hope of avoiding the drop but with prodigious young striker Fernando Torres now back fit for Atletico their hopes in this game will be slim.
BARCELONA (4) v REAL MALLORCA (17)
Barcelona's bid for a seventh straight league win will be hit by the absence of in-form Argentine forward Javier Saviola. With Patrick Kluivert still recovering from injury, coach Frank Rjkaard is likely to give a start to reserve striker Sergio Garcia. Mallorca have goalkeeper Leo Franco suspended, meaning a place in the starting line-up for Miki.
REAL ZARAGOZA (14) v MALAGA (11)
Zaragoza's chances of continuing their revival took a blow when Brazilian winger Savio Bortolini limped out of training this week with a recurrence of an ankle injury. Former Barcelona striker Dani is also likely to miss out against inconsistent Malaga.
SEVILLA (10) v VILLARREAL (9) (1800)
Villarreal recaptured their early-season form in the 3-0 win at home to Galatasaray in the UEFA Cup this week and a similar performance would restate their case for a return to Europe next season. Forward Antonito is missing through suspension for Sevilla.