Primera Liga matches, November 1-2

Real Madrid may not yet be firing on all cylinders but the champions will still be confident of maintaining their perfect home record when they entertain Athletic Bilbao on Saturday.

Real have won all four of their home games this term, scoring 14 of their 20 goals in front of their own fans, and have fond memories of the last time they met the Basque side at the Bernabeu on the final day of last season.

A Ronaldo double and another from fellow Brazilian Roberto Carlos gave Real a 3-1 victory over Athletic that ensured they finished two points ahead of Real Sociedad to clinch the 29th league title in their history.

Although the form book augurs well for Real, who are now just a point behind leaders Deportivo Coruna, they are not without their problems ahead of this weekend's match.

David Beckham looks likely to miss his third match in a row because of a niggling hamstring injury, the versatile Ivan Helguera is struggling with a sciatic nerve problem and centre-back Francisco Pavon is suspended after being sent off in this week's goalless draw at Real Zaragoza.

If the England captain fails a late fitness test, coach Carlos Queiroz will be forced to reconstruct his midfield by bringing in either Guti or Esteban Cambiasso, while reserve team player Ruben is likely to be drafted in if Helguera drops out.

To make matters worse there have been rumblings of discontent from leading striker Ronaldo, who is unhappy at having been substituted on so many occasions this season.

The World Player of the Year, who has hit a minor scoring drought after going three games without finding the net, has insisted that even when he is not playing well he can score goals and win games.

Opponents Athletic, sixth in the standings, have made a promising start to the season and will be relying to the in-form strike pairing of Joseba Etxeberria and Ismael Urzaiz as they look to notch their first away win of the campaign.

Other matches being played in the Primera Liga this weekend:

Saturday:

CELTA VIGO vs. RACING SANTANDER

After a shaky start Celta will be aiming to confirm their improvement with a convincing performance against an attack-minded Racing, who have slipped to consecutive defeats against Real Madrid and Espanyol.

MURCIA vs. DEPORTIVO CORUNA

Deportivo held on to top spot despite a 2-0 defeat at home to Mallorca in midweek, but Javier Irureta's side will be anxious to avoid another slip-up against struggling Murcia, who have won just one game since their return to the top flight.

Sunday:

ESPANYOL vs. REAL ZARAGOZA

The pressure was eased on Espanyol coach Javier Clemente after his side scraped their first win of the season with a 1-0 victory at Racing in midweek, but the Catalans will have to make do without injured striker Raul Tamudo as they try to haul themselves off the bottom of the table.

Zaragoza turned in a fine performance in their 0-0 draw against Real on Tuesday, but former Espanyol coach Paco Flores will be looking for more accuracy in front of goal from his men this time out.

MALAGA vs. SEVILLA

A tightly contested match in prospect between the two Andalucian rivals, although without the added spice of seeing fiery Sevilla striker Dario Silva turn out against his former club following his red card in Wednesday's 1-1 draw against Valladolid.

REAL BETIS vs. ATLETICO MADRID

New strike pairing Fernando Torres and Demis Nikolaidis were in devastating form as they helped Atletico sweep to their third win in a row with a 4-0 drubbing of Real Sociedad on Thursday.

The long suffering Atletico fans are too used to disappointments than to begin the celebrations just yet and are likely to reserve judgement on their side's revival until after this stern test at Betis.

REAL MALLORCA vs. VALENCIA

Valencia missed their chance to go top when they were held to a 2-2 draw by Celta in midweek and now face a tricky away trip against the islanders, who recorded their first league win under new coach Luis Aragones with an impressive 2-0 victory over leaders Deportivo at the Riazor on Wednesday.

REAL SOCIEDAD vs. BARCELONA

Last season's runners-up were a mere shadow of the side that ran Real so close for the title last season when they slumped to their 4-0 defeat at Atletico on Thursday and will need to produce a much-improved performance if they are to beat a resilient Barcelona.

The Catalans have the best away record in the league and with Ronaldinho in sparkling form and Argentine striker Javier Saviola keeping the unsettled Patrick Kluivert on the bench, they will be favourites to score a third win in a row.

VALLADOLID vs. ALBACETE

An improving Albacete claimed their third win of the season with a 2-0 victory at home to Villarreal last time out and will now be looking to score their first away point of the campaign against an inconsistent Valladolid.

VILLARREAL vs. OSASUNA

Javier Aguirre's Osasuna appear to have got the bit between their teeth after making their best ever start to a season in the top flight. The Navarrans grabbed a typically determined 2-0 win over Betis this week and will start as favourites against a fading Villarreal who have not won in their last four outings.