Primera Liga matches, September 11 to 12
Barcelona will get a first chance to parade their close-season recruits in front of their own fans when they host a reinvigorated Sevilla on Saturday (kickoff 2000 GMT).
Barcelona will get a first chance to parade their close-season recruits in front of their own fans when they host a reinvigorated Sevilla on Saturday (kickoff 2000 GMT).
A summer spending spree in excess of 65 million euros brought seven high-profile signings to the Nou Camp over the summer to create a squad that looks more than capable of ending the club's six-year trophy drought.
With Portugal playmaker Deco, France midfielder Ludovic Giuly, African Player of the Year Samuel Eto'o, Swedish striker Henrik Larsson and the Brazilian defensive trio of Silvinho, Edmilson and Juliano Belletti, Barca now possess a team to rival Real Madrid in terms of glamour and excitement.
Even without the presence of the inspirational Ronaldinho, the Catalans began the season with a convincing 2-0 win away to Racing Santander, with new boys Giuly and Eto'o scoring.
"It is our first home game and we can't afford to let our fans down," Giuly said. "They've pinned so much hope on us that we have to make sure we continue our good start with another win."
Ronaldinho, the Primera Liga's outstanding player last season, is still recovering from an ankle injury but should play against the Andalucians.
Sevilla have snapped up highly-rated Brazilian international Renato and Spanish winger Fernando Sales to add creativity to their midfield.
Other matches being played in the Primera Liga this weekend (kickoff times 1730 GMT unless stated, standings in brackets).
Saturday:
ATHLETIC BILBAO (7) v VALENCIA (4) 1600
Champions Valencia claimed a nervous 2-1 victory over regional rivals Villarreal in their opening game, but will need to be on better form if they are to come away from San Mames with a win.
Italian striker Marco Di Vaio looks to have shaken off a minor ankle injury and Argentine midfielder Pablo Aimar should also be available for Claudio Ranieri's side.
REAL MADRID (5) v NUMANCIA (11) 1800
Real made a low-key start to their campaign with a 1-0 win away to Mallorca, but should have few problems when they entertain newly promoted Numancia at the Bernabeu.
Argentine Walter Samuel has recovered from a knee injury but is likely to be rested for next week's Champions League match against Bayer Leverkusen, while fellow defender Jonathan Woodgate is still recovering from a long-term thigh injury.
Real's other new recruit Michael Owen will almost certainly start the game on the bench despite setting up team mate Ronaldo for the only goal of the Mallorca game.
Sunday:
ALBACETE (16) v ATLETICO MADRID (2) 1930
Atletico made an impressive start to the season with a 2-0 win over Malaga and will be boosted by the Spanish Federation's decision to overturn a two-match ban for coach Cesar Ferrando who will now be able to watch his side face his former club from the dug-out.
DEPORTIVO CORUNA (8) v OSASUNA (12) 1600
Depor have made a nervous start to the season and tempers flared this week when forwards Walter Pandiani and Albert Luque were involved in a scuffle in training.
Coach Javier Irureta has done his best to smooth things over, but he will be hoping his side turn their aggression towards their opponents rather than themselves when they meet a combative Osasuna at the Riazor.
GETAFE (18) v REAL MALLORCA (17)
Primera Liga newcomers Getafe were given a harsh lesson in the realities of the top flight when they went down 3-1 at Real Zaragoza and will need to tighten their defence against the well-organised islanders.
LEVANTE (10) v RACING SANTANDER (20)
Levante marked the start of their first Primera Liga campaign in 39 years with a promising 1-1 draw away to Real Sociedad and will fancy their chances against the Cantabrians.
MALAGA (19) v REAL ZARAGOZA (1)
Zaragoza top the table after coming from behind to claim a 3-1 win over Getafe, but should face a sterner task against Malaga who will have new signing Paulo Wanchope in attack.
REAL BETIS (13) v ESPANYOL (9)
Betis looked short of firepower up front in their 1-1 draw at Numancia and will need to be more inventive to win.
Espanyol produced a sparky performance against Depor but will be without the creative midfielder Ivan de la Pena who was sent off for protesting to the referee.
VILLARREAL (15) v REAL SOCIEDAD (14)
Sociedad will be without striker Oscar de Paula and French defender Jeremie Brechet for this tricky away game against Villarreal who lost 2-1 at Valencia in their opening game.