Spanish first division matches, April 26-27
As Barcelona's season lurches from one disappointment to another the Catalan side will attempt to revive their domestic fortunes when they entertain high-flying Real Sociedad on Sunday at the Nou Camp.
As Barcelona's season lurches from one disappointment to another the Catalan side will attempt to revive their domestic fortunes when they entertain high-flying Real Sociedad on Sunday at the Nou Camp.
The club's dreams of brightening up an otherwise gloomy season with European success were finally punctured by defeat against a streetwise Juventus on Tuesday and they now face an uphill battle to salvage something from what has been a wretched domestic campaign.
Radomir Antic's side are mired in 12th place in the table, five points adrift of a European place and only seven above the congested relegation zone.
To make matters worse, this weekend's opponents Sociedad have been in devastating form in recent matches.
The Basques followed a sparkling 4-2 victory over Real Madrid with a ruthless 5-0 destruction of basement side Rayo Vallecano and are now just a point behind the European champions at the top of the table.
Their strike partnership, Serbian target man Darko Kovacevic and the electric Turkish forward Nihat Kahveci, has been terrorising opposition defences and Barca will have to be at their very best if they are to call a halt to their goalscoring.
Barca have a number of injury worries with inspirational midfielder Luis Enrique and Dutch right back Michael Reiziger both struggling with knee problems, while defender Carles Puyol (leg strain) and playmaker Xavi (shoulder) are also doubtful starters.
Other matches being played in the Spanish first division this weekend:
Saturday:
ATHLETIC BILBAO vs. REAL BETIS
Athletic threw away a three-goal halftime lead to end up drawing 3-3 against Espanyol last week and will need to be more disciplined if they are to renew their bid for a place in next season's UEFA Cup.
Betis have only won one of their last eight matches, but have at least recovered the services of former Barcelona striker Alfonso, who scored within a minute of coming on as a substitute in last week's 2-2 draw against Atletico Madrid.
ATLETICO MADRID vs. OSASUNA
Atletico will be praying they can get their centenary celebrations off to a winning start by claiming their first victory in six outings against struggling Osasuna at what is guaranteed to be a full house at the Calderon.
With leading striker Fernando Torres out injured, Luis Garcia, whose fine recent form has been rewarded with an international call-up for Spain's friendly against Ecuador next week, is likely to be joined by the inconsistent Javi Moreno up front.
Sunday:
CELTA VIGO vs. VALLADOLID
With the arrival of on-loan striker Mido from Ajax, Celta finally look to have found a goalscorer capable of firing them into the Champions League.
The young Egyptian scored two classy goals in last week's 2-0 win over Osasuna and looks to have struck up an immediate understanding with playmaker Alexander Mostovoi. The Galicians will, however, need to be on their guard against Valladolid who ground out a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Valencia last week.
MALAGA vs. RACING SANTANDER
Three 1-0 wins on the trot have seen Malaga renew their bid for a place in next season's UEFA Cup, but they will not have it all their own way against Racing who have put together a three-match unbeaten run to pull clear of the danger zone.
RAYO VALLECANO vs. ESPANYOL
Rayo's new coach Antonio Iriondo could hardly have got off to a worse start with last week's 5-0 drubbing at the hands of Real Sociedad. Nothing less than a win against Espanyol will do if they are to retain any hope of avoiding the drop.
Espanyol staged a miraculous recovery to come from three goals down to claim a 3-3 draw at home to Bilbao last week and extend their unbeaten run to seven matches, but they have received a major blow with the news that leading scorer Raul Tamudo will miss the next six games with a thigh injury.
REAL MALLORCA vs. DEPORTIVO CORUNA
Three wins in a row have helped Depor move to within a point of Real at the top of the standings and with leading scorer Roy Makaay in deadly form they will be optimistic of extending their run against the islanders.
The Dutch striker brought his tally for the season to 24 after notching a neat double in last week's 3-1 win over Sevilla.
RECREATIVO HUELVA vs. VILLARREAL
Recreativo's seven-match unbeaten run was ended by an unlucky 1-0 defeat at Racing Santander last week and the Andalucians will need to have more fortune in front of goal if they are to continue their revival with a win against a gritty Villarreal.
SEVILLA vs. REAL MADRID
Real remain top despite dropping five points in their last two league games and now face a potentially tricky match against the Andalucians who have moved the match to the city's Estado Olimpico to cater for the expected demand in tickets.
Real will be without Raul, who is recovering from surgery to remove his appendix, and defender Michel Salgado, who is suspended after his dismissal in last week's 1-1 draw with Barca. But Vicente del Bosque will have few worries with the versatile Guti stepping in to renew his partnership with Ronaldo in attack.
VALENCIA vs. ALAVES
Following their disappointing exit from the Champions League at the hands of former coach Hector Cuper's Inter Milan, Valencia will now have to concentrate on renewing their bid to make next season's competition.
Rafa Benitez's side dropped to fifth place after a 1-0 defeat at Valladolid last time out, but will be favourites to take their second win in eight games against a weak-looking Alaves, who have taken just two points from a possible 24.