Primera Liga matches, October 30-31
Club captain Carles Puyol believes league leaders Barcelona will show their strength when they travel to Athletic Bilbao on Saturday (kickoff 1800 GMT) after the shock defeat by third division Gramenet in the King's Cup.
Club captain Carles Puyol believes league leaders Barcelona will show their strength when they travel to Athletic Bilbao on Saturday (kickoff 1800 GMT) after the shock defeat by third division Gramenet in the King's Cup.
"Defeat in the Cup was a big blow," Puyol said. "But we have to recover quickly and prepare for a very tough game against Bilbao. Now is when we will see if we really are as good as some people are saying.
"The defeat was just an accident because we took it seriously and gave everything. If we go on to win either the Spanish title or the Champions League then no one will remember what happened in the Cup."
Frank Rijkaard's side are the only unbeaten team in the league and retained their five-point lead at the top of the standings after last week's 3-0 home win over Osasuna.
They will be boosted by the return of the influential midfield combination of Ronaldinho and Deco, and right back Juliano Belletti, who all missed the Gramenet match.
Opponents Bilbao have been inconsistent this season but they have played some attractive, attacking football and have already taken the scalp of Real Madrid at San Mames.
Other matches being played this weekend (league positions in brackets, kickoff times GMT):
Saturday:
VALENCIA (3) v ATLETICO MADRID (5) 2000
Last season's champions Valencia are experiencing a worrying slide in form.
A surprise exit from the Cup against second division Lleida in midweek was the team's fourth consecutive defeat in all competitions and coach Claudio Ranieri is under severe pressure to ensure his side claim a first win in seven outings.
Still without defensive linchpin Roberto Ayala and influential winger Vicente, they face a tough test against a combative Atletico led by in-form striker Fernando Torres.
Sunday (kickoffs 1600 GMT unless stated):
DEPORTIVO CORUNA (10) v ALBACETE (15)
After a wobbly start to the season, Deportivo will be delighted at the return to form of striker Diego Tristan, who notched his third goal in two games with his well taken double in the 2-0 victory over fourth division Cerceda in the Cup.
Albacete will be without striker Ruben Castro and midfielder Momo who are unable to play because of an exclusion clause inserted by Depor in their loan contract.
ESPANYOL (4) v VILLARREAL (12)
Two more teams wanting to restore their pride after shock exits from the Cup at the hands of lower-ranked opponents.
Espanyol are riding high in an unaccustomed fourth place in following their 2-0 win at Levante last week but Villarreal finally hit form with a 4-0 crushing of Numancia.
NUMANCIA (20) v REAL SOCIEDAD (16)
Sociedad striker Oscar de Paula, who scored the winner against Mallorca last week, is likely to miss out because of an ankle injury but Darko Kovacevic was in great form in his side's 3-1 victory over Burgos in the Cup.
Numancia dropped to the bottom of the pile after their 4-0 thrashing at the hands of Villarreal last week.
OSASUNA (9) v LEVANTE (6)
Levante lost their 100 percent home record with a 2-0 defeat against Espanyol and now face a tricky away match against the Navarrans who have only dropped two points at El Sadar this season.
Osasuna are still without leading striker Savo Milosevic but Uruguayan midfielder Pablo Garcia returns after missing the 3-0 defeat at Barcelona through suspension.
REAL BETIS (13) v MALAGA (11) 2000
Malaga's Paulo Wanchope has been in spectacular form since his arrival from Manchester City in August.
The Costa Rican striker notched his fourth goal of the season in the 1-1 draw against Deportivo and is certain to pose a major threat to Betis who will be hoping Spanish international Juanito is fit to return in the centre of defence.
REAL MADRID (7) GETAFE (18) 1800
Michael Owen scored his third goal in three games in Real's 2-1 win over third division neighbours Leganes in the Cup on Tuesday and should keep his place in the starting line-up.
Fellow England international David Beckham is still injured and Argentine centre back Walter Samuel has a knee problem.
Getafe, in their first ever season in the top flight, have lost all four of their away matches and should present few problems for an improving Real.
REAL MALLORCA (19) v RACING SANTANDER (17)
A 2-1 defeat at Real Sociedad -- their fifth in eight games -- prompted the Mallorca board to sack coach Benito Floro at the start of the week and caretaker Tomeu Llompart will be in charge for this match. Racing are on the up after their 1-0 win over Zaragoza last time out.
REAL ZARAGOZA (8) SEVILLA (2)
Many people's outside bet for a Champions League place this season, Joaquin Caparros's young Sevilla side produced their characteristic mixture of skilful football up front and abrasive defending at the back to beat Atletico last week.
Zaragoza have won all their home matches and are anxious to appease their fans following their disappointing exit from the Cup, a competition they won last season.