Spanish first division matches, March 15 to 16
Deportivo Coruna believe they can turn this week's Champions League exit to their advantage by concentrating all their efforts on the domestic title race, starting with Saturday's home clash with Rayo Vallecano.
Deportivo Coruna believe they can turn this week's Champions League exit to their advantage by concentrating all their efforts on the domestic title race, starting with Saturday's home clash with Rayo Vallecano.
Deportivo, who clinched the league title for the first time in 2000, have won their last four matches to climb up to third place in the table, just three points behind leaders Real Madrid with 13 games left to play.
Real Sociedad, in second spot, a point behind the leaders, and fourth-placed Valencia, five points off the pace after an indifferent run, are the other sides still in the title race.
Deportivo have arguably the strongest squad of all the challengers, though, and without Europe to distract them they look best placed to challenge Real Madrid for the title.
Coach Javier Irureta will therefore hope to see a real statement of intent on Saturday, when his side take on 19th-placed Rayo in their first game since a last-gasp 3-2 defeat away to Juventus sealed their Champions League fate.
"We have to think positively and focus on the league now," Irureta said ahead of the Rayo game.
"The fact that Real Madrid and Valencia are still in Europe and will have to split their efforts in two competitions could work in our favour."
Depor have three players suspended -- centre back Cesar and midfielders Aldo Duscher and Victor -- while Donato is still recovering from a knee injury.
Irureta will still feel confident of racking up a fifth successive league win, however, against lowly Rayo.
Other matches being played this weekend:
Saturday:
RACING SANTANDER vs. REAL SOCIEDAD
Racing, beaten by Deportivo and Real Madrid in the last two weeks, could slip back into relegation trouble if they suffer another setback against Real Sociedad.
The title challenging Basques got their act back together last week with a 3-1 win at home to Alaves and another win here would could take them back top if Real Madrid fail to beat Villarreal. Coach Raynald Denoueix has one major injury doubt over winger Javi de Pedro.
VILLARREAL vs. REAL MADRID
Real Madrid need a fourth successive league win to safeguard their slim lead at the top of the table. Coach Vicente del Bosque could decide to make a couple of changes in his starting line-up with a crucial Champions League clash away to Lokomotiv Moscow in store for Tuesday. Ronaldo, nursing a slight thigh muscle injury, may be one candidate for a rest.
Sunday:
DEP. ALAVES vs. BARCELONA
Alaves have conceded 14 goals in their last three league games and they will need a drastic improvement against Barcelona, who beat them 6-1 at the Nou Camp earlier in the season.
The Catalans, who made certain of their place in the quarter-finals of the Champions League with a straightforward victory over Bayer Leverkusen midweek, could have Carles Puyol back from injury to boost their defence.
ATHLETIC BILBAO vs. VALENCIA
Valencia have slipped five points behind league leaders Real after a couple of poor results and the defending champions can hardly afford another setback here. They may struggle to stay focused, however, with a decisive Champions League match at home to Arsenal to come on Wednesday.
ATLETICO MADRID vs. CELTA VIGO
Atletico will welcome back Fernando Torres after the young striker missed last week's valuable victory away to Valencia.
Celta, who suffered an equally surprising 1-0 defeat at Rayo Vallecano last weekend, have an injury doubt over forward Jesuli but Argentine defender Eduardo Berizzo could be ready to return to the defence.
ESPANYOL vs. MALAGA
Espanyol keeper Toni is recovering from a bout of 'flu and remains doubtful for the Catalans, who could climb out of the relegation zone with victory over a Malaga side likely to be feeling the effects of Thursday's 1-0 UEFA Cup win over Boavista.
OSASUNA vs. REAL MALLORCA
Osasuna are heading back towards relegation trouble after taking just a point from three games since their excellent win over Real Madrid.
Mallorca haven't been much better of late but the islanders celebrated landing a place in the King's Cup final with a promising league victory at home to Real Betis last weekend and another good result here could take them back into the top half of the table.
REAL BETIS vs. RECREATIVO HUELVA
Betis have lost three on the spin and are in danger of dropping out of the European qualification places.
In theory this should be a simple task against the league's basement side but Betis have failed to beat Recre in three attempts in league and cup so far this season and they will be taking nothing for granted.
VALLADOLID vs. SEVILLA
Sevilla are pushing hard for a UEFA Cup place after a run of three successive victories and coach Joaquin Caparros should stick with Antonito up front in place of Mariano Toedtli after his strong performance in last weekend's success over Osasuna.
Valladolid did well to hold Barcelona to a 1-1 draw at the Nou Camp last weekend and Pepe More is not expected to make changes.