Primera Liga matches, Sept 18-19

Fireworks can be expected when joint leaders Atletico Madrid and Barcelona meet in the Spanish capital on Sunday (kickoff 1730 GMT).

Barcelona have been in irresistible form so far this season, winning both their opening league games 2-0 and sweeping to a 3-1 victory away to Celtic in the Champions League, all the while winning rave reviews for their fast-paced attacking style.

Atletico have also claimed 2-0 wins from their opening two league games, thanks to the excellent form of Fernando Torres and Ariel Ibagaza in attack, and are level with Barca at the top.

Atletico coach Cesar Ferrando has promised his side will play an open game when they meet at the Calderon and that should make for a memorable game. Barca welcome back Ronaldinho to join Henrik Larsson, Samuel Eto'o and Ludovic Giuly in an exciting forward line.

"It's going to be a great night," said Atletico's Argentine midfielder Diego Simeone. "We'll be up against the team that's playing the best football in the Spanish league."

Other matches being played in the Primera Liga this weekend league positions in parentheses, kickoffs 1530 GMT unless stated):

Saturday:

ESPANYOL (4) v REAL MADRID (3) (1800)

Real, humiliated by Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League in midweek, need a marked improvement if they are to continue their winning start to the domestic season against in-form Espanyol.

Jose Antonio Camacho will make at least one change, with Zinedine Zidane out injured, and may consider giving Michael Owen a start up front in place of Raul and bringing in Albert Celades to his midfield.

Espanyol were outstanding in a 4-1 win at Real Betis last weekend and the return of Ivan de la Pena from suspension will strengthen the side.

OSASUNA (6) v REAL BETIS (17) (1600)

Osasuna, fresh from an excellent victory at Deportivo Coruna, will expect another good result against out-of-sorts Betis, who went down 4-1 at Espanyol. Betis coach Llorenc Serra Ferrer will make several changes as a result, with Washington Tais, David Rivas and Luis Fernandez all coming into the defence.

VALENCIA (8) v REAL SOCIEDAD (12) (2000)

Valencia looked back to their ruthless best in a 2-0 win over Anderlecht in the Champions League on Tuesday and Claudio Ranieri will be tempted to abandon his rotation policy and stick with the same side.

Sociedad are without Darko Kovacevic, Igor Jauregi and Oscar de Paula through injury.

Sunday:

ATHLETIC BILBAO (11) v DEPORTIVO CORUNA (15) (1930)

Bilbao had an exhausting workout in a 3-2 defeat by Trabzonspor in the UEFA Cup on Thursday and it is hard to see them being at peak fitness in time for this game.

Deportivo coach Javier Irureta faces problems as well, though, with Mauro Silva, Aldo Duscher and Diego Tristan still out injured. Deportivo have yet to win a game this season and badly need an improvement on their display in a 3-1 defeat by Osasuna last weekend.

NUMANCIA (13) v GETAFE (18)

Numancia were unlucky to go down 1-0 at Real Madrid last weekend and a similar performance here should bring them their first win of the season. Getafe will bring in former Atletico Madrid and Espanyol defender Ivan Amaya to give the side a bit more steel after two defeats in their first two games in the top division.

RACING SANTANDER (20) v VILLARREAL (14)

Racing coach Lucas Alcaraz, already under pressure after two comprehensive defeats, has injury doubts over midfielders Medhi Nafti and Anderson. Villarreal have also been disappointing in the league so far but enjoyed a morale-boosting 2-1 win away to Hammarby of Sweden in the UEFA Cup in midweek and will fancy their chances of a first league win of the season.

REAL MALLORCA (9) v MALAGA (16)

Midfielders Juan Arango, Marcos Vales and Guillermo Pereyra all missed training for Mallorca this week and are doubtful. Malaga coach Gregorio Manzano is promising a more attacking approach after two games without a goal from his side.

REAL ZARAGOZA (7) v ALBACETE (19)

David Generelo scored a fantastic goal to give Zaragoza a winning start to their UEFA Cup campaign against Sigma Olomouc on Thursday and the fast improving 22-year-old should be promoted to the starting line-up as a result.

Albacete have had the advantage of a blank week but coach Jose Gonzalez will have to make changes in his side after midfielders Ivan Diaz and Mark Gonzalez suffered injuries against Atletico Madrid in their last outing.

SEVILLA (10) v LEVANTE (5)

Sevilla enjoyed an excellent 2-0 win over Nacional Madeira in the UEFA Cup on Thursday and if Julio Baptista can maintain his excellent form from that game, Levante may well struggle to preserve their unbeaten record.