Spanish first division matches, May 17-18
A Real Madrid side battered and bruised by defeat to Juventus in the Champions League have five games left to salvage something from the season, starting with Sunday's league game at home to Malaga.
A Real Madrid side battered and bruised by defeat to Juventus in the Champions League have five games left to salvage something from the season, starting with Sunday's league game at home to Malaga.
Two weeks ago, Real were four points clear in the first division and chasing a first league and European Cup double since 1958. Now they are in danger of finishing the season with nothing.
Juventus put paid to their European chances in Wednesday's 3-1 win in Turin, while a 5-1 defeat at home to Real Mallorca and a goalless draw away to Recreativo Huelva have left them in third place in the league.
"We have to remember that the league is a major prize as well," said Real keeper Iker Casillas. "We're only a point off the lead and we must be fully focused on that competition."
Ronaldo is out for at least another week after suffering a recurrence of his calf injury against Juventus and Claude Makelele has still not recovered from his thigh problem.
Malaga are in 10th place but only two points away from a UEFA Cup place and in Dario Silva and Dely Valdes they have forwards capable of exploiting any weaknesses in the home defence.
Other matches being played in the Spanish first division this weekend:
Saturday:
DEPORTIVO CORUNA vs. VALENCIA
Deportivo have the chance to put serious pressure on their title rivals by going three points clear at the top of the table, for at least the better part of 24 hours.
Valencia, the defending champions, slipped out of the Champions League places with last week's defeat by Villarreal and they cannot afford another setback.
RACING SANTANDER vs. ATLETICO MADRID
Racing continued their rise up the table with last week's hard earned 2-2 draw away to Celta Vigo, a result that came despite the ongoing touchline ban for coach Chuchi Cos.
Atletico are going in the opposite direction, with last week's home defeat to Alaves only taking them further away from the UEFA Cup spot that looked theirs for the taking last month.
Sunday:
ALAVES vs. ATHLETIC BILBAO
Bilbao have had an up and down season but their form appears to be improving at the right time and they now have realistic hopes of a European place.
Alaves believe they can cause an upset against their Basque rivals, though, after reviving hopes of staying in the top flight with a surprise win away to Atletico Madrid last week. They have one injury doubt over centre-back Oscar Tellez, who has a thigh muscle strain.
BARCELONA vs. REAL MALLORCA
Barcelona missed a great chance to return to the UEFA Cup places when they were held to a goalless draw away to Sevilla.
Mallorca handed Real Madrid a 5-1 defeat at the Bernabeu two weeks ago and they will be confident of finding more gaps in a Barca defence missing Carles Puyol and Frank de Boer.
OSASUNA vs. REAL BETIS
Osasuna hopes of staying clear of the drop zone will be hit by the absence of Pablo Garcia and Leonel Gancedo, who are both suspended.
Betis, surprisingly held to a 1-1 draw at Rayo Vallecano last weekend, are also below strength, with Alfonso, Capi and Dani out injured.
REAL SOCIEDAD vs. RECREATIVO HUELVA
Sociedad kept up their title challenge with a brilliant 3-1 win away to Real Mallorca last week and they will be full of confidence when they take on relegation candidates Recreativo.
SEVILLA vs. RAYO VALLECANO
Sevilla are still in with a chance of a UEFA Cup place after taking a point from Barcelona last weekend.
Rayo look doomed after being held to a 1-1 draw against Real Betis last week and they desperately need victory here against another side from the Andalucian capital. They will welcome back midfielder Jorge Azkoitia from injury.
VALLADOLID vs. ESPANYOL
Both these sides have a bit of daylight between themselves and the relegation zone but Espanyol in particular will feel they need another win to be certain of avoiding the drop.
The task for the visitors will be to find a way past the five-man Valladolid defence that held Athletic Bilbao to a goalless draw last weekend.
VILLARREAL vs. CELTA VIGO
Villarreal coach Benito Floro will name the same side that scored such an outstanding win away to Valencia last weekend.
They will have their work cut out repeating the trick against Celta, another side chasing the fourth Champions League spot.