23/04/2005
Primera Liga matches, April 23-24

Real Madrid will try and unnerve leaders Barcelona by notching up a fifth successive league win when they host Villarreal on Saturday (kickoff 2000 GMT).

With Barcelona not playing at Malaga until Sunday, Real hope that a win at the Bernabeu -- which would bring them to within three points of Barca -- will be enough to unsettle their arch-rivals.

The Catalans enjoyed an 11-point lead at the top of the table at the end of last month, but a draw against Real Betis and defeat away to Real have narrowed that advantage to six points with six games left.

"There are enough games left for us to win the title," said Real's director of football Arrigo Sacchi.

"Against Betis and us, I saw Barca under pressure and they lacked the speed, the power and the concentration they showed before...Winning the title isn't an impossibility for us."

The theory sounds good, but the practice may turn out to be rather different as Real found out last week when Barcelona showed no sign of wilting under the pressure with an impressive 2-0 win at home to Getafe.

What is more, Real have a tough task on their hands against Villarreal, who are one of the form sides in Spain at the moment.

A six-game unbeaten run has left Manuel Pellegrini's side challenging for a place in the Champions League and in confident mood ahead of Saturday's match.

"If we are courageous and play the way we usually do it will be easier to get the three points we need," goalkeeper Pepe Reina said. "We have to go all out for the victory from the start."

Centre back Ivan Helguera has been laid low with stomach problems for much of the week and midfielder Thomas Gravesen is still recovering from an ankle injury so Real are set to field the same team that beat Levante 2-0 last weekend.

That means Luis Figo is likely to remain on the bench for the third game in succession in order to make room for England striker Michael Owen.

Villarreal will be without midfielders Sebastian Battaglia and Marcos Senna.

Other matches being played this weekend (kickoff times 1500 GMT unless stated; league positions in brackets):

Saturday:

OSASUNA (15) v ATLETICO (9) 1800

Osasuna followed up their first two league wins of the year with a 1-0 victory over Atletico in the Cup. Another win would almost certainly end their relegation worries.

After taking just one point from their last two outings Atletico run the risk of missing out on a European place. - - - -

Sunday:

ATHLETIC BILBAO (8) v SEVILLA (3) 1900

Sevilla can ill afford any further slip-ups if they want to earn a place in the Champions League but they face a tricky task against Bilbao who have only lost twice this season at San Mames. - - - -

DEPORTIVO CORUNA (10) v RACING SANTANDER (17)

Racing, who were unlucky to lose to Athletic Bilbao last time out, need a few more points to guarantee their survival.

Deportivo's inconsistent season continued with a 1-0 defeat at Real Sociedad last week and their hopes of securing a European place are fading fast. - - - -

ESPANYOL (6) v REAL ZARAGOZA (11)

An intriguing contest between two well-drilled outfits. Zaragoza trounced basement side Numancia 4-1 last week to take their unbeaten run to eight games, while Espanyol have only lost twice at home this season. - - - -

GETAFE (13) v LEVANTE (16)

Despite respective defeats against Barcelona and Real Madrid last week, both teams are almost certainly assured of a second season in the top flight. - - - -

MALAGA (14) v BARCELONA (1) 1700

Barca will be anxious to erase the memory of their 5-1 thrashing at the hands of Malaga last season and at the same time keep themselves on course for a first league title in six years.

Defender Carles Puyol returns from suspension and left back Silvinho should be available but the versatile Rafael Marquez is banned.

Club doctors have yet to make a decision as to whether leading scorer Samuel Eto'o has recovered sufficiently from his knee problems. - - - -

NUMANCIA (20) v REAL MALLORCA (18)

A do-or-die contest for two teams who are on the brink of dropping out of the top flight. Numancia have lost four games in a row and even a win will do little to stop them being relegated. The outlook is better for Mallorca, who drew 0-0 with Valencia last time out. - - - -

REAL BETIS (5) v REAL SOCIEDAD (12)

Leading scorer Ricardo Oliveira is suspended for Betis as they try to end their run of three draws. Sociedad beat Deportivo 1-0 last week but a European place is beyond reach. - - - -

VALENCIA (7) v ALBACETE (19)

Striker Marco Di Vaio is back in training with the Valencia squad after being excluded for indiscipline and last season's champions may need to call on the Italian if they are to notch up a win after three consecutive draws. Opponents Albacete are staring relegation in the face after six straight defeats.

23.04.2005 18:52 +0400
as.com

23/04/2005 Primera Liga matches, April 23-24

23/04/2005
Primera Liga matches, April 23-24