Primera Liga matches, May 7-8

Brief previews of Primera Liga matches being played this weekend (kickoff times 1500 GMT unless stated; league positions in brackets):

Saturday:

ATHLETIC BILBAO (9) v REAL ZARAGOZA (8) 1600

Zaragoza were in irresistible form as they cracked five past Osasuna last week and now have an outside chance of earning themselves a place in Europe. Athletic are likely to be more focused on next week's Cup semi-final against Betis.

OSASUNA (13) v REAL MALLORCA (18) 1600

Mallorca breathed new life into their hopes of avoiding the drop with last weekend's 3-2 win over high-flying Espanyol, but nothing short of another victory will allow them to continue their bid for survival. Osasuna are almost certain to remain in the top flight despite their 5-1 thumping at Zaragoza.

REAL BETIS (7) v SEVILLA (3) 2000

Even more at stake than usual in the Seville city derby as the two sides look to continue their drive for a Champions League place. Sevilla will be marginal favourites after their emphatic victories over Depor and Bilbao, while Betis will be hit by the absence of in-form forward Edu.

A fascinating duel in prospect between Sevilla striker Julio Baptista, who has notched up 17 league goals this season, and fellow Brazilian Ricardo Oliveira who has scored 18 for Betis.

REAL MADRID (2) v RACING SANTANDER (16) 1800

Real will welcome back Zinedine Zidane, Walter Samuel and Michel Salgado as they look to keep the pressure on Barca at the top of the table by extending their winning run to seven matches.

Racing, who are not quite out of the woods yet, have produced good performances of late and may provide stiffer resistance than expected.

Sunday:

ALBACETE (20) v LEVANTE (17)

Levante took the risky decision to sack coach Bernd Schuster after last week's defeat at home to Malaga and successor Jose Luis Oltra has little room for manoeuvre as his side look to avoid getting dragged into a messy relegation dog-fight.

After an eight-match losing streak, even a win may not be enough to save Albacete from the drop.

DEPORTIVO CORUNA (11) v ATLETICO MADRID (10) 1900

Atletico are likely to have one eye on next week's Cup semi-final against Osasuna after a four-game winless streak effectively ended their hopes of qualifying for Europe via the league.

They will be without Danish winger Jesper Gronkjaer, who sustained a hairline fracture of his fibula in last weekend's 1-1 draw with Athletic Bilbao.

Depor, who have now lost three in a row, will have to make do without injured striker Diego Tristan and midfielder Mauro Silva as well as suspended forward Albert Luque as they look to salvage something from a disappointing season.

ESPANYOL (6) v NUMANCIA (19)

A 3-2 defeat at struggling Mallorca dealt a blow to Espanyol's dreams of earning a place in the Champions League and the Catalans will be on their guard against relegation-bound Numancia, who drew 1-1 against Valencia last time out.

A win is unlikely to be enough to save the Sorians from the drop though.

GETAFE (14) v REAL SOCIEDAD (12)

Despite their heavy defeat at Villarreal, Getafe are well on the way to ensuring themselves of a second season on the top flight. Their chances will be enhanced by the likely absence of Sociedad centre forward Darko Kovacevic who has been struggling with an Achilles' tendon problem.

MALAGA (15) v VILLARREAL (4)

Villarreal reclaimed a Champions League berth after their 4-0 thrashing of Getafe last week and they will be further boosted by the return of playmaker Juan Roman Riquelme from suspension.

Malaga are almost guaranteed of survival in the top flight.

VALENCIA (5) v BARCELONA (1) 1700

This tough away match at the Mestalla provides Barcelona with their last major hurdle as they try to secure their first league title in six years. A victory would leave the Catalans within touching distance of the trophy, but defeat could make for a nerve-racking run-in to the end of the season.

Frank Rijkaard will welcome back influential midfielder Xavi from suspension, while the versatile Brazilian international Edmilson could be included in the squad after seven months on the sidelines with a knee injury.

Valencia need the points if they are to stand a chance of claiming a place in next season's Champions League.