Primera Liga matches, Oct 28-30

Second-placed Real Madrid travel to Real Zaragoza on Tuesday needing a fourth straight league win to keep the heat on title rivals Deportivo Coruna and Valencia.

Real have made an excellent start to the defence of their league title, with six wins, one draw and just one defeat.

Carlos Queiroz's side still trail Deportivo by two points, though, and lead Valencia only on goal difference so a slip-up against Zaragoza would see them lose ground.

Real could have David Beckham back after a hamstring strain kept him out of Saturday's 3-1 win at home to Racing Santander and Queiroz is mulling over other changes to a side starting to feel the effects of a punishing schedule.

"We have to remember we're in a long campaign, with a lot of games, and we need to use our resources well," Queiroz said.

"We'll have to give players time to rest but every player in the squad is good and they all deserve to play."

Queiroz could consider resting Ronaldo after the Brazilian striker had an off-day against Racing at the weekend. Esteban Cambiasso is the man likely to step down if Beckham recovers in time.

The game against Zaragoza will be a chance for Gabriel Milito to prove a point to Real Madrid.

Real agreed a deal to sign the Argentine centre-back from Independiente over the close season only to pull out of it, citing concerns over the player's fitness.

Milito subsequently moved to Zaragoza and has made a good start to his career in Spain.

Other Primera Liga matches being played this week:

Wednesday, October 29:

DEPORTIVO CORUNA vs. REAL MALLORCA

Deportivo returned to the top of the table with an outstanding 2-1 win at home to Valencia at the weekend and they will feel confident of gaining another good result against struggling Mallorca.

Depor coach Javier Irureta is likely to give a place in the starting line-up to Diego Tristan after the Spanish international striker came off the bench to score the winner against Valencia.

ALBACETE vs. VILLARREAL

Albacete have improved over recent games, claiming a 3-1 win at home to Real Sociedad and then giving Real Betis an almighty scare before going down 3-2 at the weekend.

This will be an excellent chance to claim a third league win of the season against a Villarreal side slipping down the standings after a promising start.

OSASUNA vs. REAL BETIS

Osasuna lost 1-0 to Real Sociedad at the weekend but they remain in a lofty fourth place and Betis will be wary of their trip to El Sadar.

ATHLETIC BILBAO vs. MALAGA

Bilbao's five-match unbeaten league run came to a dispiriting end with a 2-0 defeat at Valladolid on Sunday and the Basques will be anxious to get back on track against inconsistent Malaga.

BARCELONA vs. MURCIA

Barcelona regained some credit at the weekend with a 3-1 win over Real Mallorca and the Catalans should be capable of claiming their first home league win of the season against Murcia.

Barca coach Frank Rijkaard is again likely to start with Patrick Kluivert on the bench after Javier Saviola scored his first goal of the season against Mallorca.

Kluivert has become upset at frequent jeers and whistles from the crowd -- he has yet to score a league goal this term -- and the way the public react if he comes on as a substitute could help decide whether he stays at the club or not.

RACING SANTANDER vs. ESPANYOL

Racing were unfortunate to go down 3-1 to Real Madrid at the Bernabeu after outplaying the league champions for much of the game.

Espanyol had two players sent off against Celta Vigo on Sunday and ended up going down 4-0. Another defeat could put former Spanish national team boss Javier Clemente in real trouble.

SEVILLA vs. VALLADOLID

Valladolid turned in their best performance of the season to beat Bilbao 2-0 on Sunday, running the Basque side ragged in a high-class performance. Fernando Vazquez's side have taken just one point away from home all term, though, and Sevilla will start as marginal favourites.

VALENCIA vs. CELTA VIGO

Valencia conceded their first goals since the opening day of the season in Saturday's 2-1 defeat by Deportivo Coruna, a result that cost them the league leadership.

The visit of Celta will be a good opportunity for Rafa Benitez's side to resume normal service. Celta did rack up four goals against Espanyol at the weekend but that was against a side that finished with nine players and Valencia will not provide such easy pickings.

Thursday, October 30:

ATLETICO MADRID vs. REAL SOCIEDAD

Atletico have climbed out of trouble with victories in their last two games and will feel confident of completing the hat-trick against Real Sociedad.

The Basques moved into the top six with a nervous 1-0 win at home to Osasuna on Sunday but they seem to be relying too much on goalscorer Darko Kovacevic at the moment and coach Raynald Denoueix will call for a more polished all-round display.