Primera Liga matches, November 27-28
Primera Liga newcomers Getafe say they have plenty of respect but no fear of runaway league leaders Barcelona who they entertain at their stadium for the first time in the top flight on Saturday (kickoff 1900 GMT).
Primera Liga newcomers Getafe say they have plenty of respect but no fear of runaway league leaders Barcelona who they entertain at their stadium for the first time in the top flight on Saturday (kickoff 1900 GMT).
"They are a class above everyone else at the moment, not just in the Spanish league, but in the rest of the world," says Getafe coach Quique Sanchez Flores.
"But although they are a very good side they are not perfect and our aim is to take the initiative. We've studied them carefully and seen that certain teams have created problems for them this season."
Getafe, who hail from a modest industrial suburb of Madrid, have already taken the scalps of Valencia, Athletic Bilbao, Malaga and Espanyol in their debut season in the top flight.
All four of their victories have come at their own stadium, and the visit to Getafe is fast acquiring a reputation as one of the most tricky away trips in the league.
"It's going to be a great game for us," says the team's Argentine defender Mariano Pernia. "We've got lots to gain and almost nothing to lose."
Following their crushing 3-0 win over Real Madrid last weekend, Barcelona are now seven points clear of their arch-rivals at the top of the table.
But their squad is coming under increasing pressure because of a string of serious injuries to key players, the latest victim being Swedish striker Henrik Larsson, who will miss the rest of the season because of a knee injury.
Other matches this weekend (league positions in brackets, kickoff times 1600 GMT unless stated)
Saturday:
ATHLETIC BILBAO (17) v RACING SANTANDER (12) 1700
Athletic were left languishing a point above the relegation zone after surrendering a two-goal lead to lose 3-2 to neighbours Real Sociedad last weekend.
They will be missing influential wing-back Asier del Horno and keeper Daniel Aranzubia, who are both suspended for the visit of their mid-table opponents.
ESPANYOL (4) v ATLETICO MADRID (6) 2100
Espanyol are flying high despite a 1-0 defeat at Sevilla last weekend, but will have to make do without suspended defenders Mauricio Pochettino and Albert Lopo and injured Brazilian midfielder Fredson.
Atletico coach Cesar Ferrando extended his contract with the club for an extra year this week and will be looking to celebrate with a rare away win.
Sunday:
DEPORTIVO CORUNA (8) v REAL SOCIEDAD (14)
Out of Europe following their 1-0 defeat to Olympiakos in the Champions League, Deportivo can now turn their attention to reviving their hopes at home.
With injuries to strikers Diego Tristan and midfielders Victor and Sergio, coach Javier Irureta will need to draw on several reserves for the game against his former club.
MALAGA (16) v ALBACETE (18)
Both sides have been in poor form in recent weeks and are in desperate need of the points in order to pull clear of the danger zone. Albacete will be without defender Gaspar and Uruguayan striker Antonio Pacheco, both suspended.
NUMANCIA (20) v REAL ZARAGOZA (9)
Zaragoza lost their perfect home record when they went down to Mallorca last time out and will once again be without leading striker David Villa, who is suffering from a stomach bug.
Numancia are anchored to the bottom of the table after their eighth defeat of the season at Atletico.
OSASUNA (11) v SEVILLA (3)
Sevilla reclaimed third place with their first win in four outings last weekend, but they now face a testing away trip against the Navarrans, who should have Australian striker John Aloisi back after a knee injury.
REAL BETIS (10) v VILLARREAL (13)
Although they have lost their last two league games, Villarreal received a major boost from a convincing 2-0 win over Middlesbrough in the UEFA Cup on Thursday with another fine performance from Argentine midfielder Juan Roman Riquelme.
Betis, who extended their unbeaten run to nine matches with last week's 2-1 win over Levante, will be a hard nut to crack.
REAL MADRID (2) v LEVANTE (7) 1800
Defeat against Barca and a nervous 1-1 draw at home to Bayer Leverkusen have led many to question whether Real are now a spent force, while nothing less than a win will satisfy the club's increasingly disenchanted fans.
Midfielder Zinedine Zidane is out with a back problem which may mean that Raul will drop into midfield, allowing Michael Owen to play alongside Ronaldo up front.
Bernd Schuster's Levante are the surprise package of the season and with in-form Bulgarian striker Vladimir Manchev up front, the explosive Felix Ettien in midfield and talented Irish international Ian Harte at the back they are sure to make for awkward opponents.
VALENCIA (5) v REAL MALLORCA (19) 2000
Valencia ended their 10-match winless streak with a convincing 2-0 victory over Malaga last weekend and revived their hopes of qualifying for the second round of the Champions League with a 2-1 win at Anderlecht.
There appears to be no end to the side's injury worries, though. Midfielder Pablo Aimar and defender Carlos Marchena are both doubtful against the islanders who have a far more solid look about them since the appointment of former Valencia boss Hector Cuper.