Primera Liga matches, November 13-14
Champions Valencia seek to arrest their dramatic slump in form when they host high-scoring Real Zaragoza at the Mestalla on Saturday (kickoff 1900 GMT).
Champions Valencia seek to arrest their dramatic slump in form when they host high-scoring Real Zaragoza at the Mestalla on Saturday (kickoff 1900 GMT).
Claudio Ranieri's side have not won in their last nine matches in all competitions and have slipped to seventh, 11 points behind unbeaten leaders Barcelona.
Valencia still seem to be traumatised by last month's 5-1 Champions League thrashing by Inter Milan and have remained uncharacteristically generous in defence ever since.
Up front, after a promising start to the campaign, the goals have dried up and both Marco Di Vaio and last season's top scorer Mista are struggling.
"The only way to turn things around is to win a match and everything will change after that," says midfielder Pablo Aimar, who should return to the side after missing last week's defeat at Getafe because of a head injury.
"It is easy to lose your confidence, but we have to realise that this is the same team that won everything last year and we haven't suddenly forgotten how to play football."
The statistics favour a Valencia victory as Zaragoza have not won at the Mestalla in the league for 12 seasons and have not yet recorded a victory away from home this season.
However, Victor Munoz's side have been playing splendid attacking football and thrashed Valencia 3-1 at the Mestalla in the season-opening Spanish Super Cup.
Valencia will be without midfield enforcer David Albelda, who tore a thigh muscle in midweek and was in any case suspended for this game, while in-form Zaragoza striker David Villa is doubtful because of a leg strain.
Other matches being played this weekend (league positions in brackets, kickoff times 1900 GMT unless stated):
Saturday:
ATHLETIC BILBAO (17) v VILLARREAL (9)
Villarreal are unbeaten in five games and produced a entertaining display last weekend with a Juan Roman Riquelme-inspired 3-0 win over Osasuna.
Inconsistent Athletic are languishing in 17th place despite playing attractive, attack-minded football. They will be missing suspended defender Luis Prieto, who was sent off in last week's 1-0 defeat at Levante.
DEPORTIVO CORUNA (11) v LEVANTE (3) 2100
Depor's disappointing start to the season continued with an early exit from the Cup in midweek. They will be given no quarter by a classy Levante side, who have claimed a handful of high profile scalps on their way to third spot in the table.
Left back Joan Capdevila and Uruguayan striker Walter Pandiani are out for Deportivo because of injury.
ESPANYOL (5) v RACING SANTANDER (10)
Espanyol made light of the absence of striker Raul Tamudo by claiming a convincing 2-0 win at Real Sociedad last week, both goals courtesy of Argentine forward Maxi Rodriguez.
After a poor start to the season Racing have found their form and are now looking for their fourth win in a row.
GETAFE (18) v MALAGA (13)
Although they were tipped to be the whipping boys of the Primera Liga, Getafe have proved to be a handful for the bigger sides in the league.
They were unlucky to lose to Real Madrid two weeks ago and notched a thoroughly deserved 1-0 win over Valencia last time out, so Malaga will not be taking them lightly.
NUMANCIA (20) v SEVILLA (4)
The outlook is bleak for basement side Numancia. They sacked coach Francisco Lopez at the start of the week after their fifth defeat in a row. New boss Maximo Hernandez will have his work cut out if his side are to get anything from this game against an abrasive and talented Sevilla outfit.
OSASUNA (12) v REAL SOCIEDAD (15)
Three defeats in a row for Osasuna and a shaky start to the season for Sociedad mean that this one is likely to be a nervous affair. Osasuna will be without Australian striker John Aloisi, who is out with a knee injury, but will hope Savo Milosevic rediscovers his fine early-season scoring form.
Sunday:
REAL BETIS (14) v BARCELONA (1) 2000
Unbeaten leaders Barca continued their near-perfect progress in the league with a 2-1 win over Deportivo last weekend but they will be wary of the gritty Andalucians who are coached by their former boss Llorenc Serra Ferrer.
Barca have lost three out of their last four matches at Betis and will be without defender Juliano Belletti. Fellow Brazilian Silvinho should be back in the squad after recovering from a knee injury. Betis winger Joaquin is doubtful because of a bruised knee.
REAL MADRID (2) ALBACETE (16) 1800
Real moved up to second behind Barca following their 2-0 win over Malaga last week. They will be keen to notch their fourth league win in a row to keep the pressure on the Catalans, who they meet next week at the Nou Camp.
David Beckham should be given the all-clear to play after recovering from broken ribs, although the England captain is likely only to be given a run-out late in the game so he can prove his fitness ahead of next week's friendly against Spain.
REAL MALLORCA (19) v ATLETICO MADRID (8) 1600
Hector Cuper got off to a encouraging debut as Mallorca coach when his side scrambled a 1-1 draw at Sevilla, but then watched his side get knocked out of the Cup in midweek.
The islanders have not won at home this season but have a good chance against a disjointed Atletico who are flattered by their eighth place in the table.