The European fight could reach a turning point as Sevilla visits the Vicente Calderon while Valencia takes on Athletic in San Mames.
Osasuna's flawless performance at the Reyno de Navarra helped José Luis Mendilibar's boys claim the 14th position upon soundly defeating Espanyol 4-0. Los Rojillos want to celebrate their first victory away as they visit newly promoted Levante, a direct rival for the category.
Liga leader Barcelona visits Mallorca without Dani Alves and Xavi (the first received his fifth yellow card last week while the Spanish midfielder is ruled out due to injuries. Having obtained only four points in the last six games, Michael Laudrup's Bermellones will have to say goodbye to the European fight without a positive result as they visit the Camp Nou.
Atletico and Sevilla play one of the most interesting games of the week, as they're both going through a difficult moment and cannot concede three vital points to a direct rival for the top fight.The memories of the last Spanish Cup final are still vivid in the mind of Quique Sanchez Flores' Rojiblancos, but it can be a whole different story at the Vicente Calderon
Two consecutive defeats have taken Zaragoza back to the basement. Javier Aguirre's Maños are aware they need to return home with the full scoring from Gijon not, but it won't be easy considering Manolo Preciado's Sporting have survived the last two games against Barcelona and Valencia.
Zaragoza's coach recovers Ander Herrera for this game, but he will have to do without Argentinean goalkeeper Leo Franco and Lafita, both ruled out due to injuries.
Sporting will be missing midfielder Alberto Rivera due to intense muscular pain, as Preciado does not want to risk him unless necessary.
A decisive game for two squads eager to leave the bottom fight behind, who'll succeed?
Highly compromised with the relegation fight, both Malaga and Almeria take on each other in a vital game for the bottom fight. The hosts look forward to celebrate their first victory in La Rosaleda in over two months and claim the full scoring after three consecutive draws. Manuel Pellegrini recovers Jesús Gámez y Quincy Owusu-Abeyie, though he misses Julio Baptista, Malagueño, Duda and Kris due to injuries.
A victory is mandatory for Jose Luis Oltra's Almeria if they're truly meant to retain the category. Almeria's boss might have to do without Henok Goitom and Albert Crusat for the Andalusian derby, but at least young Carlos García's evolution has been favorable and might be given a shot among the starting eleven.
A true six-pointer for the bottom fight, a draw will only sink both Malaga and Almeria deep into the basement, who'll claim the three points?
Atletico returned to victory last week after five weeks, and Quique Sanchez Flores wants to take advantage of the momentum granted by this victory to inject his Colchoneros with Andalusian blood, leapfrog Sevilla and claim the 7th position as they wait for Real Sociedad and Espanyol to take on each other.
Sevilla, recently eliminated from the Europa League, needs the full scoring badly to shorten the gap from the last Champions League qualifying place, which stands 12 points above their head. Sevilla's Luis Fabiano and Antonio Negredo will measure their strengths against Sergio Aguero and Diego Forlan.
Sevilla's coach Gregorio Manzano will have to do without goalkeeper Antonio Palop, Frederic Kanoute and Romaric as the three of them are ruled out due to injuries. Atletico's coach, on the other hand, can choose freely among his players as all of them are fit for this week's decisive six-pointer.
Watch out for Ivan Rakitic and Jose Antonio Reyes, for they can completely change the game from one secod to the other. Who'll claim the full scoring?
Former Espanyol striker Raul Tamudo returns to Cornella-El-Prat, now eager to give the Txuri-Urdin a decisive victory in the fight for the European glory. Four consecutive defeats have shattered Pericos' self-confidence.
Mauricio Pochettino recovers midfielder Aldo Duscher and Jose Callejon. On the other hand, he will be missing Ivan Alonso as he struggles with injuries.
Newly promoted Real Sociedad has a clear objective in this tournament and it's to show their worth to the whole continent.
Team's coach Martin Lasarte introduces a few modifications in his scheme, as Vadim Demidov joins Mikel Gonzalez in the backbone and Markel Bergara joins Tamudo in the attack, given the fact that team's captain Mikel Aramburu is ruled out due to disciplinary action.
An important clash that will have a major impact in the table standings, who'll claim the three points?
Barcelona visits the Balearics Islands ready to open an eight-point lead over Real Madrid, before Jose Mourinho's Blancos travel to La Coruña. Carles Puyol, Xavi Hernandez, Victor Valdez and Daniel Alves will all be missing the game.
Michael Laudrup's Bermellones have been left far too behind from the European fight, standing at the 11th position 31 points. As all the other candidates for the Europa League have played a few hours before Mallorca, Laudrup's boys will be able to seize the importance of the game minutes before it starts.
Espanyol's Ivan Ramis and Joao Victor are missing this game due to injuries, while Laudrup left Tomas Pina Isla, Sergi Enrich and Tomeu Nadal out of the matchday squad.
Pep Guardiola's Blaugranas showed to be in excellent form after two awkward results in Gijon and London as they received Athletic Bilbao at the Camp Nou. After 60 minutes of disappointing football, the Cule squad finally awoke and secured the game thanks to Lio Messi's sheer efficiency, scoring his 25th goal in 24 Liga games.
With numerous absentees, Barcelona visits the Iberostar Stadium and a victory is mandatory to keep Real Madrid in line. Will they manage to bag the three points in Mallorca?
Another important match for Jose Mourinho's Blancos, Real Madrid visits the Riazor to take on Deportivo on Saturday's late game. Real Madrid score 12 goals in the last three games against Deportivo, something to keep in mind for this clash.
Real Madrid managed to celebrate a victory for the first time in 17 years the last time they traveled to La Coruña. Karim Benzema has once again been chosen over Emmanuel Adebayor to join Cristiano Ronaldo, Mesut Ozil and Angel Di Maria on the attack.
The young French international played a vital role in Merengues' visit to Lyon last week, scoring a goal against his former team in the first ball he touched. Miguel Angel Lotina is likely to return to a five-men defensive back-line to stand against Real Madrid's massive firepower.
Lotina misses team's captain Manuel Pablo and Juan Pablo Valeron, but recovers Mexican international Andrés Guardado to dominate the left wing. The hosts need the three points to maintain a safe distance from the relegation line.
Real Madrid needs the full scoring to keep up with Barcelona's pace. Will they succeed at securing the game at the Riazor?
Both Levante and Osauna are standing at the doorsteps of the Relegation line. "This game is not a final, but it's vital for our fight" said Levante's coach Luis Garcia when asked about the game. Levante's Javi Venta and Juanfran García are physically compromised and might not be able to perform,
Osasuna's new coach Jose Luis Mendilibar wants his Rojillos to celebrate their first victory away from Pamplona in more than a year. "We're doing things extremely well at home. It's been a good, positive week, and I believe we'll show how much we've grown this Sunday" said Osasuna's midfielder Javier Camuñas.
Levante, on the other hand, looks forward to celebrate its third consecutive victory at home without conceding a single goal. "True salvation is here, if we want to survive we must obtain every possible point at home" said Garcia. "Mendilibar's squads are always intense, with excellent control of the ball. He has excellent shooters at his disposal" he added.
Having obtained only 2 points in the last 20 games away, a victory can provide a major boost to Osasuna as they prepare for another six-pointer next week against Deportivo. The very foundations of the relegation fight will shake upon this clash, who'll bag the full scoring?
Getafe visits Alicante looking forward to jump back on the European fight. Esteban Vigo's Hercules are six point below and know that a defeat can take them to the 18th position in the worst case scenario.
Paraguayan international Nelson Haedo Valdez is ruled out as he struggles with a muscular fatigue in his right calf, joining Royston Drenthe in the bench. Javier García Portillo seems to be the best alternative to join French international David Trezeguet in the attack,
Hercules' coach does not expect Getafe to innovate much on his scheme, "They're fast on the attack and they know how to play football" said Vigo earlier this week. He also believes Hercules performs much better at the Rico Perez and that "two consecutive victories can take us to a comfortable position in the standings".
Getafe's coach Michel recovers Manu del Moral, Javier Arizmendi and Ibrahim Kas for this clash, but misses Iván Marcano and Óscar Ustari. Getafe must prepare to receive Atletico Madrid next Wednesday, and thus a victory in Alicante can boost their spirit before such a challenging game.
Midweek's victory over Napoli gave Villarreal an injection of energy, and Juan Carlos Garrido's Submarines look forward to take advantage of the momentum granted as they visit El Sardinero on Sunday's evening. It's been over four years since Racing lastly defeated Villarreal in the Primera Division.
Let's not forget Villarreal has not been able to celebrate a single victory in La Liga in the last three weeks. Racing will be a tough nut to crack for Villarreal, especially keeping in mind that Marcos Senna and Bruno Soriano are both ruled out due to injuries. Borja Valero and Marcos Gullon will have to grow as the leaders of the midfield to feed Nilmar and Giuseppe Rossi with enough goal scoring-opportunities to secure the game.
Racing's new coach Marcelino García Toral seems to understand the situation his Montañeses are going through, having celebrated two consecutive victories in his first two games with Racing Santander. He'll have to do without Gonzalo Colsa, Oscar Serrano and Alexandros Tziolis, but Pedro Munitis and Giovanni Dos Santos will be ready to build the attack along with Markus Rosemberg.
Villarreal wants to recover his place as the third alternative to Barcelona and Real Madrid's leadership, while Racing looks forward to bag three vital points for the relegation fight. Who'll succeed?
Valencia travels to Bilbao to visit San Mames' Cathedral and deliver a fatal blow to Joaquin Caparros' Lions' European dreams. Two important absentees on each side of the field, as Andoni Iraola and Aritz Aduriz won't be able to perform.
With 48 points, Valencia knows the top stands 17 points above their heads, but they also know they have a comfortable ten-points lead over Athletic.
Two consecutive defeats have lowered the spirit of Joaquin Caparros' Lions, as they failed to obtain a single point from the last two visits to Mallorca and Barcelona. Athletic prepares to face Sevilla, Villarreal and Real Madrid consecutively, so they depend only on themselves to make their European dreams come true.
Mikel San Jose is ready to return to Athletic's starting eleven, while Valencia will finally be able to rely on David Navarro and Mehmet Topal to dominate the midfield.
The first of a series of defining games for both squads, who'll succeed?
Liga leader Barcelona visits Mallorca without Dani Alves and Xavi (the first received his fifth yellow card last week while the Spanish midfielder is ruled out due to injuries. Having obtained only four points in the last six games, Michael Laudrup's Bermellones will have to say goodbye to the European fight without a positive result as they visit the Camp Nou.
Atletico and Sevilla play one of the most interesting games of the week, as they're both going through a difficult moment and cannot concede three vital points to a direct rival for the top fight.The memories of the last Spanish Cup final are still vivid in the mind of Quique Sanchez Flores' Rojiblancos, but it can be a whole different story at the Vicente Calderon
Two consecutive defeats have taken Zaragoza back to the basement. Javier Aguirre's Maños are aware they need to return home with the full scoring from Gijon not, but it won't be easy considering Manolo Preciado's Sporting have survived the last two games against Barcelona and Valencia.
Zaragoza's coach recovers Ander Herrera for this game, but he will have to do without Argentinean goalkeeper Leo Franco and Lafita, both ruled out due to injuries.
Sporting will be missing midfielder Alberto Rivera due to intense muscular pain, as Preciado does not want to risk him unless necessary.
A decisive game for two squads eager to leave the bottom fight behind, who'll succeed?
Highly compromised with the relegation fight, both Malaga and Almeria take on each other in a vital game for the bottom fight. The hosts look forward to celebrate their first victory in La Rosaleda in over two months and claim the full scoring after three consecutive draws. Manuel Pellegrini recovers Jesús Gámez y Quincy Owusu-Abeyie, though he misses Julio Baptista, Malagueño, Duda and Kris due to injuries.
A victory is mandatory for Jose Luis Oltra's Almeria if they're truly meant to retain the category. Almeria's boss might have to do without Henok Goitom and Albert Crusat for the Andalusian derby, but at least young Carlos García's evolution has been favorable and might be given a shot among the starting eleven.
A true six-pointer for the bottom fight, a draw will only sink both Malaga and Almeria deep into the basement, who'll claim the three points?
Atletico returned to victory last week after five weeks, and Quique Sanchez Flores wants to take advantage of the momentum granted by this victory to inject his Colchoneros with Andalusian blood, leapfrog Sevilla and claim the 7th position as they wait for Real Sociedad and Espanyol to take on each other.
Sevilla, recently eliminated from the Europa League, needs the full scoring badly to shorten the gap from the last Champions League qualifying place, which stands 12 points above their head. Sevilla's Luis Fabiano and Antonio Negredo will measure their strengths against Sergio Aguero and Diego Forlan.
Sevilla's coach Gregorio Manzano will have to do without goalkeeper Antonio Palop, Frederic Kanoute and Romaric as the three of them are ruled out due to injuries. Atletico's coach, on the other hand, can choose freely among his players as all of them are fit for this week's decisive six-pointer.
Watch out for Ivan Rakitic and Jose Antonio Reyes, for they can completely change the game from one secod to the other. Who'll claim the full scoring?
Former Espanyol striker Raul Tamudo returns to Cornella-El-Prat, now eager to give the Txuri-Urdin a decisive victory in the fight for the European glory. Four consecutive defeats have shattered Pericos' self-confidence.
Mauricio Pochettino recovers midfielder Aldo Duscher and Jose Callejon. On the other hand, he will be missing Ivan Alonso as he struggles with injuries.
Newly promoted Real Sociedad has a clear objective in this tournament and it's to show their worth to the whole continent.
Team's coach Martin Lasarte introduces a few modifications in his scheme, as Vadim Demidov joins Mikel Gonzalez in the backbone and Markel Bergara joins Tamudo in the attack, given the fact that team's captain Mikel Aramburu is ruled out due to disciplinary action.
An important clash that will have a major impact in the table standings, who'll claim the three points?
Barcelona visits the Balearics Islands ready to open an eight-point lead over Real Madrid, before Jose Mourinho's Blancos travel to La Coruña. Carles Puyol, Xavi Hernandez, Victor Valdez and Daniel Alves will all be missing the game.
Michael Laudrup's Bermellones have been left far too behind from the European fight, standing at the 11th position 31 points. As all the other candidates for the Europa League have played a few hours before Mallorca, Laudrup's boys will be able to seize the importance of the game minutes before it starts.
Espanyol's Ivan Ramis and Joao Victor are missing this game due to injuries, while Laudrup left Tomas Pina Isla, Sergi Enrich and Tomeu Nadal out of the matchday squad.
Pep Guardiola's Blaugranas showed to be in excellent form after two awkward results in Gijon and London as they received Athletic Bilbao at the Camp Nou. After 60 minutes of disappointing football, the Cule squad finally awoke and secured the game thanks to Lio Messi's sheer efficiency, scoring his 25th goal in 24 Liga games.
With numerous absentees, Barcelona visits the Iberostar Stadium and a victory is mandatory to keep Real Madrid in line. Will they manage to bag the three points in Mallorca?
Another important match for Jose Mourinho's Blancos, Real Madrid visits the Riazor to take on Deportivo on Saturday's late game. Real Madrid score 12 goals in the last three games against Deportivo, something to keep in mind for this clash.
Real Madrid managed to celebrate a victory for the first time in 17 years the last time they traveled to La Coruña. Karim Benzema has once again been chosen over Emmanuel Adebayor to join Cristiano Ronaldo, Mesut Ozil and Angel Di Maria on the attack.
The young French international played a vital role in Merengues' visit to Lyon last week, scoring a goal against his former team in the first ball he touched. Miguel Angel Lotina is likely to return to a five-men defensive back-line to stand against Real Madrid's massive firepower.
Lotina misses team's captain Manuel Pablo and Juan Pablo Valeron, but recovers Mexican international Andrés Guardado to dominate the left wing. The hosts need the three points to maintain a safe distance from the relegation line.
Real Madrid needs the full scoring to keep up with Barcelona's pace. Will they succeed at securing the game at the Riazor?
Both Levante and Osauna are standing at the doorsteps of the Relegation line. "This game is not a final, but it's vital for our fight" said Levante's coach Luis Garcia when asked about the game. Levante's Javi Venta and Juanfran García are physically compromised and might not be able to perform,
Osasuna's new coach Jose Luis Mendilibar wants his Rojillos to celebrate their first victory away from Pamplona in more than a year. "We're doing things extremely well at home. It's been a good, positive week, and I believe we'll show how much we've grown this Sunday" said Osasuna's midfielder Javier Camuñas.
Levante, on the other hand, looks forward to celebrate its third consecutive victory at home without conceding a single goal. "True salvation is here, if we want to survive we must obtain every possible point at home" said Garcia. "Mendilibar's squads are always intense, with excellent control of the ball. He has excellent shooters at his disposal" he added.
Having obtained only 2 points in the last 20 games away, a victory can provide a major boost to Osasuna as they prepare for another six-pointer next week against Deportivo. The very foundations of the relegation fight will shake upon this clash, who'll bag the full scoring?
Getafe visits Alicante looking forward to jump back on the European fight. Esteban Vigo's Hercules are six point below and know that a defeat can take them to the 18th position in the worst case scenario.
Paraguayan international Nelson Haedo Valdez is ruled out as he struggles with a muscular fatigue in his right calf, joining Royston Drenthe in the bench. Javier García Portillo seems to be the best alternative to join French international David Trezeguet in the attack,
Hercules' coach does not expect Getafe to innovate much on his scheme, "They're fast on the attack and they know how to play football" said Vigo earlier this week. He also believes Hercules performs much better at the Rico Perez and that "two consecutive victories can take us to a comfortable position in the standings".
Getafe's coach Michel recovers Manu del Moral, Javier Arizmendi and Ibrahim Kas for this clash, but misses Iván Marcano and Óscar Ustari. Getafe must prepare to receive Atletico Madrid next Wednesday, and thus a victory in Alicante can boost their spirit before such a challenging game.
Midweek's victory over Napoli gave Villarreal an injection of energy, and Juan Carlos Garrido's Submarines look forward to take advantage of the momentum granted as they visit El Sardinero on Sunday's evening. It's been over four years since Racing lastly defeated Villarreal in the Primera Division.
Let's not forget Villarreal has not been able to celebrate a single victory in La Liga in the last three weeks. Racing will be a tough nut to crack for Villarreal, especially keeping in mind that Marcos Senna and Bruno Soriano are both ruled out due to injuries. Borja Valero and Marcos Gullon will have to grow as the leaders of the midfield to feed Nilmar and Giuseppe Rossi with enough goal scoring-opportunities to secure the game.
Racing's new coach Marcelino García Toral seems to understand the situation his Montañeses are going through, having celebrated two consecutive victories in his first two games with Racing Santander. He'll have to do without Gonzalo Colsa, Oscar Serrano and Alexandros Tziolis, but Pedro Munitis and Giovanni Dos Santos will be ready to build the attack along with Markus Rosemberg.
Villarreal wants to recover his place as the third alternative to Barcelona and Real Madrid's leadership, while Racing looks forward to bag three vital points for the relegation fight. Who'll succeed?
Valencia travels to Bilbao to visit San Mames' Cathedral and deliver a fatal blow to Joaquin Caparros' Lions' European dreams. Two important absentees on each side of the field, as Andoni Iraola and Aritz Aduriz won't be able to perform.
With 48 points, Valencia knows the top stands 17 points above their heads, but they also know they have a comfortable ten-points lead over Athletic.
Two consecutive defeats have lowered the spirit of Joaquin Caparros' Lions, as they failed to obtain a single point from the last two visits to Mallorca and Barcelona. Athletic prepares to face Sevilla, Villarreal and Real Madrid consecutively, so they depend only on themselves to make their European dreams come true.
Mikel San Jose is ready to return to Athletic's starting eleven, while Valencia will finally be able to rely on David Navarro and Mehmet Topal to dominate the midfield.
The first of a series of defining games for both squads, who'll succeed?
