Spanish first division matches, May 11-13
A ninth European Cup may have to wait at least another year, but Real Madrid can move a step closer to their 28th Spanish title against Espanyol on Sunday (kickoff 1800 GMT).
A ninth European Cup may have to wait at least another year, but Real Madrid can move a step closer to their 28th Spanish title against Espanyol on Sunday (kickoff 1800 GMT).
Real, whose hopes of reaching the Champions League final for a second successive season ended on Wednesday with a 3-1 aggregate defeat by Bayern Munich, are eight points clear of second-placed Deportivo Coruna. Deportivo play Alaves on Friday in a game brought forward because of the Basque club's UEFA Cup final date with Liverpool next Wednesday.
Real, who were beaten 3-0 by Celta Vigo last weekend, are keen to get the title wrapped up as soon as possible. "The sooner we win it the better," said midfielder Ivan Helguera. "We can't afford to drop any points. We have to make sure that this year doesn't pass without us winning anything." Real could be without striker Guti after he suffered a minor injury in Wednesday's game but Fernando Morientes is back to full fitness and is ready to step in. Roberto Carlos is suspended after his sending-off against Celta.
Espanyol, in 10th place but still fighting for a UEFA Cup qualification place for next season, expect to have Raul Tamudo in their starting line-up despite the back injury the Spanish international forward suffered in training this week. Other matches being played in the Spanish first division this weekend (league positions in parentheses, kickoff times 1600 GMT unless stated):
Friday
Deportivo Coruna (2) vs. Alaves(8) 19:30
Deportivo can move to within five points of Real Madrid with victory. Midfielders Donato and Mauro Silva are both expected to recover from injuries in time to play. Alaves will have one eye on Wednesday's UEFA Cup final against Liverpool but the the players and coach Mane insist their priority is the league.
Saturday
Villarreal (7) v Real Sociedad (18) 17:00
Villarreal are still pushing for a place in Europe next season, while their Basque visitors find themselves back in the relegation mire after last week's 2-1 defeat to Valencia. Luiz Alberto and Miguel Fuentes, sent off in that game for Real, are both suspended.
Sunday
Athletic Bilbao(11) v Valladolid(16)
Bilbao are stuck in midtable with little to play for but their pride should have been stung by last week's surprise 5-0 defeat at Real Oviedo. Valladolid slipped closer to the relegation zone with a goalless draw at home to Malaga and are without a win away from home all season.
Barcalona(5) v Rayo Vallecano(12) 18:00
Barca received a let-off last week as fourth-placed Real Mallorca were beaten at Osasuna. Caretaker coach Carles Rexach will stick with the 3-4-3 formation that looked a lot more stable in last week's goalless draw with Espanyol. Rayo forward Michel is set to return to the side after a leg muscle tear.
Las Palmas(14) v Real Zaragoza(13) 17:00
Gabriel Schurrer and Josico are both back in training and have an outside chance of returning for Las Palmas in this clash between two sides still some way short of safety. Jose Ignacio is suspended for Zaragoza.
Malaga(9) v Valenzia(3)
Valencia will be on cloud nine after their 3-0 victory over Leeds United in midweek took them through to a Champions League final clash with Bayern. Malaga will be no easy opponents as they look to continue their climb towards the UEFA Cup places.
Numancia(20) v Osasuna(17)
Numancia will have caretaker coach Celestino Vallejo in charge for the first time following the sacking of Mariano Garcia Remon in midweek. He is expected to recall keeper Alvaro Nunez to the starting line-up for this clash with an Osasuna side that despite their recent improvement -- two wins and a draw in their last three games -- are still not out of relegation trouble.
Racing Santander(19) v Real Oviedo(15) 18:15
Racing are deep in trouble following last week's desperate 5-1 defeat at Alaves and coach Gustavo Benitez has indicated that several changes can be expected. Racing's low morale will be in stark contrast to that of Oviedo after their 5-0 win over Athletic Bilbao.
Real Mallorca(4) v Celta Vigo(6)
Mallorca need the points to steer clear of Barcelona in the race for the fourth Champions League qualification place. That looks a tough ask against a Celta side that will be buoyed by their 3-0 win over Real Madrid last week.