Primera Liga title run-in

With five games to go time is fast running out for Real Madrid if they are to deprive arch-rivals Barcelona of the Spanish title.

"We depend on Barcelona making mistakes and I hope they slip up this weekend because the sooner the better for us," Real midfielder Thomas Gravesen said this week. "But they've got some difficult away games coming up too."

Barca enjoy a six-point cushion at the top of the table and have the better record in head-to-head fixtures, so the Catalans will have to drop points in at least three of the remaining five games if Real are to wrest the championship from their grasp.

Real had pencilled in last weekend as one where they might make up ground on Barca, but although they did their bit with a gutsy 2-1 comeback victory over Villarreal, Frank Rijkaard's side showed no sign of nervousness as they notched up an emphatic 4-0 win away to Malaga.

This weekend it is Real who have the tough away fixture at Real Sociedad while Barca have what is on paper at least a far easier match at home to relegation-threatened Albacete.

Real have lost on their last three visits to Anoeta and Real Sociedad striker Darko Kovacevic has an impressive scoring record against them, notching up a total of 10 goals in 12 games.

"I'm worried about the Real Sociedad match," admitted Gravesen.

"They showed with their win away to Betis that they are a really strong side and have got some really good players so it's going to be a tough job."

To make matters worse Real will have to do without French midfielder Zinedine Zidane, Argentine centre-back Walter Samuel and right back Michel Salgado who are all suspended.

Coach Vanderlei Luxemburgo tried out David Beckham at right back in training on Thursday, but is likely to keep the England captain in midfield and opt to use Albert Celades instead.

Luis Figo, who has been relegated to the bench for the last three games, is suffering from a minor leg strain, but Gravesen will play after recovering from an ankle injury.

Barcelona are anxious not to take anything for granted in their fixture against Albacete, even though their opponents have lost their last seven games on the trot.

"These sorts of games are often misleading," says Brazilian right back Juliano Belletti. "They have nothing to lose and will be going all out for the win."

Barca will be without influential playmaker Xavi, who is suspended, but will be able to count on leading striker Samuel Eto'o, who appears to have recovered from a knee injury, and Mexico midfielder Rafael Marquez who returns from suspension.