Spanish first division matches, May 3-4
Real Madrid can move seven points clear of their title rivals and set themselves up perfectly for next week's Champions League clash with Juventus by beating Real Mallorca at the Bernabeu on Saturday.
Real Madrid can move seven points clear of their title rivals and set themselves up perfectly for next week's Champions League clash with Juventus by beating Real Mallorca at the Bernabeu on Saturday.
With seven games left to play, the four-point lead Real currently enjoy over Deportivo Coruna and Real Sociedad, the only two sides still threatening their domestic ambitions, is far from unassailable.
The European champions have the advantage of playing before Depor and Sociedad this weekend, however, meaning the pressure will be firmly on the chasing pair if, as expected, Real stretch their lead to seven by notching another home win over Mallorca.
The main problem for Real coach Vicente del Bosque will be to decide which of his in-form forwards to play.
Even without Raul, who is recovering from appendix surgery, Del Bosque has Fernando Morientes, who scored a hat-trick in Spain's 4-0 friendly win over Ecuador in midweek, Ronaldo, Guti and Javier Portillo vying for two forward slots.
Real won 5-1 away to Mallorca earlier in the season and they should be strong enough to rack up another heavy victory -- if they can keep their concentration before Tuesday's Champions League semi-final first leg against Juventus.
"We're optimistic," Morientes said. "Last weekend's results (when Depor and Sociedad both lost and Real won) helped us a lot, giving us a cushion for the moment."
"The difficult thing is that we're fighting on two fronts, whereas our two rivals are only thinking about the league."
Other matches in the Spanish first division this weekend:
Saturday:
REAL SOCIEDAD vs. SEVILLA
Real are likely to be seven points behind the leaders by the time this match kicks off and anything less than victory could spell the end of their title challenge.
Sevilla lost at home to Real Madrid last weekend but they are tricky opponents with one of the best defensive records in the division and they will have plenty of motivation as they chase a UEFA Cup place.
Sunday:
ALAVES vs. CELTA VIGO
Alaves will have former reserve coach Txutxi Aranguren in charge for the first time after the sacking of Mane in midweek. The new boss will have his work cut out to make a winning start against in-form Celta, who are just a point away from the Champions League places.
BARCELONA vs. RAYO VALLECANO
Barcelona clinched a valuable 2-1 win at home to Real Sociedad last weekend to revive hopes of a place in Europe next season.
They may remain in 12th place but are now just two points away from the European places and should be confident of picking up another victory, especially after Patrick Kluivert, Juan Roman Riquelme and Javier Saviola all found the net in friendly internationals in midweek.
Rayo have suffered two successive heavy defeats to slip three points adrift at the foot of the table and another setback could just about seal their fate.
DEPORTIVO CORUNA vs. RECREATIVO HUELVA
Deportivo are desperately in need of victory after their 3-0 defeat at Mallorca last weekend but they will have their work cut out against Recreativo, who continued their rise up the table with a 5-0 win at home to Villarreal last time out.
OSASUNA vs. ATHLETIC BILBAO
Osasuna brought to an end their three-match losing streak with a 1-0 success at Atletico Madrid last weekend but they remain in deep trouble and will not be able to afford any further home setbacks.
It will be a tall order to beat Bilbao, however, with the Basques unbeaten in their last four league games and now eyeing a UEFA Cup spot.
RACING SANTANDER vs. VALENCIA
Racing have won two and drawn two in their last four and victory will be no easy task for Valencia, who need to win to keep hold of the fourth and final Champions League qualification place.
REAL BETIS vs. ESPANYOL
Seville-based Real Betis will have to keep their minds off the chaotic city-wide celebrations of this week's "Feria" if they are to stay in with a chance of playing European football next season.
Espanyol are unbeaten in their last eight games and look well capable of taking advantage of any loss of concentration from Betis.
VALLADOLID vs. ATLETICO MADRID
Atletico have taken only one point from their last four games and will need something from this game to avoid sliding out of the race for Europe.
Valladolid are still in relegation trouble but they showed how dangerous they can be with a recent 1-0 win over Valencia and this could be another disappointing away day for Atletico.
VILLARREAL vs. MALAGA
Malaga have won this fixture in each of the last two seasons and another victory would keep them in last remaining UEFA Cup slot.
To avoid defeat, Villarreal will need a massive improvement on their display in last week's 5-0 mauling by Recreativo Huelva.