Louis Van Gaal's future could hinge on Barcelona picking up a rare away victory against Mallorca in the crunch clash in Son Moix.
The Dutch coach has overseen the Catalans' worst ever start in the league and one more defeat could force president Joan Gaspart's hand.
Barca have won only once on their travels this term and the absence of Juan Roman Riquelme will do little to enhance their chances of doubling that tally.
Mallorca have slipped away from the top places after a tremendous start to the campaign that saw them win seven consecutive league games.
But the
Balearic Islanders will be buoyed by the return of on-loan central defender Federico Lussenhoff.
After a slow start Real Madrid are beginning to creep towards the top, but there will some tired legs travelling to Malaga.
The European champions fielded a full-strength side for the centenary match on Wednesday night and that may take its toll.
Several Madrid players have already complained about the busy calendar and they will not have welcomed another run-out in midweek, just three days before the trip to Andalucia.
Claude Makelele and
Fernando Hierro are still missing, but coach Vincete
Del Bosque will still have the services of
Roberto Carlos,
Luis Figo, Zinedine
Zidane and
Ronaldo to call upon.
Malaga have struggled through a mini-crisis that has seen them fail to win their last five games and will be without Gerardo and Romero for the visit of Madrid.
Real Betis can put their season back on track, after exiting the Uefa Cup to Auxerre and going down to an embarrassing defeats at the hands of Rayo Vallecano, when they entertain Osasuna.
The Andalucians are in fifth spot and could move into the Champions League places with victory over the Navarrese outfit.
Osasuna have leapt clear of the relegation dogfight with four wins and a draw from their last five outings and will be confident of taking at least a point from the match.
Both Celta Vigo and Villarreal will be hoping to put last week's dreadful performances behind them as they meet in the Balaidos.
Miguel Angel Lotina's side are among the title chasers this term, but suffered a setback last weekend when they went down 3-0 against Racing Santander.
Villareal lost 2-0 against Valencia and are sitting precariously close to the bottom three as the Christmas break approaches.
Valencia will be out for revenge on Sunday when Deportivo La Coruna visit the Mestalla for the glamour clash of the weekend.
The Galicians overwhelmed Valencia in the Spanish Super Cup winning 4-0 on aggregate back in August.
Carlos Marchena will again partner
Ruben Baraja in the centre of midfield for Rafa Benitez's side in the absence of David Albelda.
Javier
Garrido is also likely to continue in place of Curro
Torres who missed the derby victory over Villarreal last weekend through suspension.
Depor coach Javier Irureta welcomes back Mauro
Silva, Fran, Toro Acuna and Nourredine Naybet to the squad for the trip.
It's top against bottom in the Nuevo Colombino on Sunday night as Real Sociedad visit Recreativo.
If the San Sebastian-based league leaders are to maintain their tilt at the title coach Raynald Denoueix knows these are the games that his side have to win.
But Sociedad could be without one of their key men as Javier De Pedro remains doubtful after he tore a muscle in his right leg.
Recre put up a brave fight against Real Madrid last weekend where they took a two-goal lead.
But the home side clawed their way back to win after the dismissal of goalkeeper Jose Luque.
In the weekend's other matches Atletico Madrid entertain Racing Santander, while Sevilla travel to Rayo Vallecano.
Athletic Bilbao will look to move away from the drop zone as they play host to Alaves in the Basque derby and Javier
Clemente will be hoping to kickstart his third in charge of Espanyol with a victory over Valladolid in Montjuic.