Primera Liga matches, October 23-24
Real Madrid will be out to confirm their revival in form when they host champions Valencia, who were mauled 5-1 by a rampant Inter Milan in midweek.
Real Madrid will be out to confirm their revival in form when they host champions Valencia, who were mauled 5-1 by a rampant Inter Milan in midweek.
Real were the only Spanish side to record a victory in the Champions League this week with Michael Owen scoring his first goal for the club to give them a nervy 1-0 win over Dynamo Kiev.
But after taking just one point from their last three league games, Real are nine adrift of unbeaten leaders Barcelona and cannot afford another slip-up in Saturday's match at the Bernabeu (kickoff 2000 GMT).
"We need to win and have a good run in the league," full back Michel Salgado said. "That's why the Valencia match is so important to us. If we win we will be just a point behind them in the standings."
Valencia began the season in devastating form but appear to have paid a heavy price for injuries to defensive linchpin Roberto Ayala and influential winger Vicente.
Both players were missing when Valencia suffered their first league defeat of the season against Sevilla last week and again for the loss at home to Inter. They will be absent once again this weekend.
Barring a last-minute change of heart from Spanish footballing authorities, midfielder Ruben Baraja will also miss out after picking up a controversial red card last week.
But Baraja believes the game against Real provides the ideal opportunity for the team to demonstrate their worth.
"Real are the perfect opponents to help us recover our morale," he said. "We are going there wounded and that makes us more dangerous."
Real will be without injured English duo David Beckham and Jonathan Woodgate. Owen will have to wait and see if his goal against Kiev was enough to retain a place in the starting line-up while Luis Figo has recovered from a dead leg and should play.
Other matches this weekend (league positions in brackets kickoffs 1500 GMT unless stated):
Saturday:
MALAGA (9) v DEPORTIVO CORUNA (8) 1800
Two narrow league wins in a row have hauled Depor up the table but they are still struggling to find the net. They will miss midfielder Mauro Silva who picked up an injury in the goalless draw against Liverpool on Tuesday.
Sunday:
ALBACETE (16) v ATHLETIC BILBAO (12)
Although their results have been inconsistent, Athletic have been playing some fluent attacking football as shown by their comfortable 2-0 win over Parma in the UEFA Cup on Thursday.
Albacete have won just one game this season and will be without forward Mikel who was sent off in the 3-2 defeat at Osasuna last week.
BARCELONA (1) v OSASUNA (6) 1900
Barcelona were dealt their first defeat of the season when they went down 1-0 at AC Milan in the Champions League in midweek.
But Frank Rijkaard's side should be strong enough to cope with the Navarrans, who are missing leading striker Savo Milosevic through injury and midfielder Pablo Garcia because of suspension.
Barca's French midfielder Ludovic Giuly has been given the all-clear to play after recovering from a thigh strain.
GETAFE (15) v REAL BETIS (14)
Getafe appear to have found their feet in the Primera Liga and with their combative, physical approach they are certain to provide problems for Betis, who have yet to win away this season.
LEVANTE (5) v ESPANYOL (10)
Levante have proved to be the surprise package so far this season, winning all three of their home matches and playing some sparkling, attack-minded football.
They face a rejuvenated Espanyol, who appear to be a far better balanced side under coach Miguel Angel Lotina.
RACING SANTANDER (20) v REAL ZARAGOZA (7)
Led by in-form Brazilian winger Savio and prolific striker David Villa, Zaragoza have out-scored everyone except Barcelona but also have the worst defensive record in the league.
Struggling Racing, who dropped to the foot of the table after their 1-0 defeat at Atletico last week, should be no match for Victor Munoz's side.
REAL SOCIEDAD (17) v REAL MALLORCA (18)
Mallorca coach Benito Floro is under pressure after a disappointing 1-1 draw at home to Villarreal and although the board backed him at the start of the week they may not be so forgiving if his team slip up against fellow strugglers Sociedad.
SEVILLA (3) v ATLETICO MADRID (4) 1700
In clash between the two meanest defences in the league, Sevilla should have the edge. They have won all their home matches and have more resources in attack than Atletico who have relied almost exclusively on youngster Fernando Torres to supply the goals.
VILLARREAL (13) v NUMANCIA (19)
Villarreal received a major setback with the news of the provisional suspension of Marcos Senna after the Brazilian midfielder tested positive for two banned substances.
But they drew 1-1 away to Lazio in the UEFA Cup and they should prove too strong for a limited Numancia side.