Real out to maintain advantage
The Primera Liga returns to action this weekend following the Christmas break with a number of intriguing clashes at both ends of the table.
The Primera Liga returns to action this weekend following the Christmas break with a number of intriguing clashes at both ends of the table.
At the summit, Real Madrid will look to preserve its seven-point lead when it hosts inconsistent Real Zaragoza at the Bernabeu, while at the other end relegation rivals Levante and Real Betis both face local derbies, taking on Valencia and Sevilla respectively.
However, arguably the most notable match takes place at the Olimpic Lluis Companys, where Espanyol will look to continue its charge up the Primera Liga standings when it hosts fellow high-fliers Villarreal.
Espanyol has climbed up to third on the back of a 13-match unbeaten run and it is one point and one place ahead of Villarreal.
Both clubs warmed up for the fixture with hard-fought 2-1 Copa del Rey second leg victories in midweek, with Espanyol needing extra-time before squeezing past Deportivo La Coruna 3-2 on aggregate, while two late goals helped Villarreal see off Las Palmas 6-3 overall.
Villarreal winger Robert Pires is anticipating a testing trip to Barcelona as it seeks to inflict only a third league defeat of the season on last year's UEFA Cup finalists.
"They are a very difficult team who play at a very high level at home. They have many good players and at this point are third in the league, so we are aware of how difficult is is going to be," said the Frenchman.
"But we also have the quality and the weaponry, and we want to show that."
That match is one of two taking place on Saturday, with the other being second-placed Barcelona travelling to Real Mallorca, where Frank Rijkaard's men will look to bounce back from their home defeat to Real Madrid and a shock 2-2 cup draw with Alcoyano.
The pick of Sunday's matches is almost certainly the derby between Sevilla and Real Betis, which will pit together two clubs who look to be on the up after disappointing starts to the season.
Host Sevilla is now eighth in the table following a four-match unbeaten run in the league, while Betis has yet to lose in five league and cup games since Paco Chaparro replaced Hector Cuper in the hotseat.
Despite that run, Betis is still third-bottom in the standings, but it is just three points off ninth-placed Zaragoza.
"Chaparro has given us a lot," Betis defender Melli said. "All of the team are together and the match against Sevilla is going to be a major challenge. They would be three very welcome points for us."
Another derby taking place this weekend will see rock-bottom Levante make the short trip to crisis club Valencia, with both sides desperate for victory.
Valencia has won just three out of 11 matches - two of which came against third division Real Union in the Copa del Rey - since Ronald Koeman took over as coach, while Levante is a massive 10 points adrift of second-bottom Depor at the foot of the standings.
Depor itself faces a tough match this weekend as it plays host to fifth-placed Atletico Madrid, while sixth-placed Racing Santander is at home to Athletic Bilbao.
In Sunday's other matches, Recreativo Huelva hosts Andalusian rival Almeria, Real Valladolid goes to in-form Getafe and Real Murcia hosts Osasuna.