Real Socieidad v Real Madrid
A year, on Real Madrid are still fighting for the championship (and currently on a run of seven matches without defeat), but Sociedad, managed by Frenchman Raynald Denoueix, find themselves at the opposite end of the table, in seventeenth.
The home side did pick up their first win in ten games last week at Malaga. For Real, England Captain David Beckham is ruled out with an ankle injury, but are otherwise at full strength.
Barcelona v Real Zaragoza
The fixture will their midfield the opportunity to prove themselves before the impending arrival of Dutch international Edgar Davids forces one of them out of the side.
The Catalans were embarrassingly beaten 1-0 by Levante in the King’s Cup this week, and have just two wins at home this season.
Luis Enrique will not play as he has a fractured cheekbone, and Dutchmen Marc Overmars and Patrick Kluivert are 50-50.
Fifteenth-placed Zaragoza are six league games without a win.
Albacete v Valencia
The league form has been outstanding with four wins in-a-row and shouldn’t have too many difficulties against fourteenth-placed Albacete.
The home side will be missing top scorer Carlos Aranda through suspension against the league’s second-placed outfit.
Deportivo La Coruna v Racing Santander
The Galicians will want to continue their impressive form away from home which has seen the side lose only two of nine games on the road, a record bettered by only Valencia.
Forward Walter Pandiani will be absent with a knee complaint which could leave Diego Tristan as a sole attacker.
Racing Santander are in good form having beaten beleaguered Barcelona 3-0 last week.
Tenth-placed Racing have also won three out of their past four visits to the Riazor.
Real Mallorca v Celta Vigo
Vigo haven’t won in six league games and will be hopeful of claiming three points against a Real Mallorca side who will be missing Samual Eto’o who is suspended.
Both sides reside in the bottom half of the table at present with Mallorca in 13th and Vigo 18th.
Murcia v Espanyol
Meanwhile, Espanyol beat Mallorca 2-0 at home for only their second home victory all season but are still marooned at the foot of the table.
Villarreal v Real Valladolid
Ninth-placed Valladolid have been defeated just once in their last 11 matches while sixth-placed Villarreal have lost just once at home this season.
Villarreal are missing Fabrizio Colocini and Sergio Ballesteros through suspension, but boast experienced Brazilian Sonny Anderson who has notched seven goals so far this season.
Real Betis v Malaga
They were beaten 3-1 by Real Zaragoza in the King’s Cup, and languish down in 16th position.
Malaga could pose a threat through top scorer Salva Ballesta who has eight goals, which have helped the side reach seventh position in the table.
Athletico Madrid v Athletico Bilbao
The home side has drawn three games in a row but still find themselves in fifth place in the table.
Striker Demis Nikolaidis may start after recovering from back surgery to partner Fernando Torres.
Osasuna v Sevilla
