Spanish first division matches, Oct 20-21

Real Madrid coach Vicente del Bosque will know there can be no excuses for another poor Spanish league showing on Sunday when his side host second-placed Celta Vigo.

The likely return of Ivan Helguera to the squad after a two-month injury absence and Zinedine Zidane's recovery from a bout of illness means Del Bosque will be able to field arguably his strongest side for the first time.

And with the club already assured of their place in the second phase of the Champions League, there should be little in the way of distraction as Real bid to improve on a wretched start to their title defence.

With eight league games played, Del Bosque's side are down in 16th place, with just two wins and a total of nine points.

They already trail league leaders Deportivo Coruna by eight points, Celta by seven and arch-rivals Barcelona by six.

The return of Spanish international Helguera, who can play at centre-back or anywhere in the midfield, will be a welcome boost, although the player himself is anxious to avoid being regarded as the club's saviour in the league.

"I'm just coming back from an injury and I don't even know if I'll be playing against Celta," said Helguera, who has been back in full training this week and is almost certain to be named in Del Bosque's squad.

"We have been a bit out of sorts in the league but we like games against clubs like Celta. They play football and they'll let us play football and that could work in our favour."

Celta were far from their best in Thursday's UEFA Cup second round, first leg win over Slovan Liberec but three superb strikes from Alexander Mostovoi brought the Russian international a hat-trick and the team a 3-1 win.

Coach Victor Fernandez, whose side moved up to second with a fine 3-1 win over Real Betis last weekend, left eight first-team regulars out of his starting line-up against the Czechs. All are expected to return against Real.

Playing Saturday

DEPORTIVO LA CORUNA v SEVILLA FC

League leaders Depor are playing the best football in Spain at the moment and coach Javier Irureta's main problem could be to keep euphoria in check after a thrilling victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford.

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LAS PALMAS v ATHLETIC BILBAO

Away day specialists Bilbao have managed three victories on their travels so far this season but they could have more difficulties on their visit to the Canary Islands. Las Palmas scored a confident 2-0 win at home to Espanyol last weekend and look tough to beat on home territory.

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MALAGA v BARCELONA

Barcelona played superbly in the first half of this week's Champions League victory over Bayer Leverkusen but they were badly stretched after the break and could feel the effects against Malaga. Coach Carles Rexach will welcome back Swedish defender Patrik Andersson from injury.

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REAL BETIS v VILLARREAL

Betis and Villarreal were the early season pace setters but both sides have lost their last two games and this looks too close to call. Betis will hope leading scorer Gaston Casas recovers from a bout of illness in time. Villarreal are at full strength.

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REAL SOCIEDAD v OSASUNA

John Toshack's side are rock bottom with just two points from eight games and have already been knocked out of the King's Cup by third division opposition. This looks a decent chance for them to kickstart their campaign, though, as they can expect a full house against near neighbours Osasuna.

Bjorn-Tore Kvarme, Inigo Idiakez and Javier de Pedro are all expected to return to the Real starting line-up after recovering from injury, meaning Toshack can field his first-choice side for the first time this season.

Playing Sunday

R.C.D. ESPANYOL v C.D. TENERIFE

Tenerife have won their last two games in the league and may fancy their chances of a third against inconsistent Espanyol, who are missing Ricardo Cavas after his sending-off against Las Palmas last week as well as the injured Quique de Lucas.

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REAL MALLORCA v RAYO VALLECANO

Sergio Kresic, who replaced Bernd Krauss as Mallorca coach this week, will hope to see key midfielder Ariel Ibagaza recover in time for this clash with fellow relegation strugglers Rayo.

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VALENCIA v REAL ZARAGOZA

Both sides had UEFA Cup matches on Thursday but Valencia could face a harder struggle to recover after an exhausting trip to Warsaw. Midfielders Vicente and Gonzalo de los Santos picked up injuries during the game and are doubtful for the visit of Zaragoza.

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VALLADOLID v ALAVES

Valladolid pulled off a superb 4-1 win at Athletic Bilbao last week and former Real Madrid forward Tote, who scored a hat-trick in that game, will lead the line against another Basque side on Sunday.

Ruben Navarro is out for Alaves, with Ivan Alonso likely to step in. Oscar Tellez could also return at centre-back.