Barcelona will be bracing themselves for a fierce backlash from Valencia when they make the difficult trip to face the title contenders on Saturday (kickoff 2030 GMT). Valencia are still seething after a controversial last-gasp penalty deprived them of a win away to Real Madrid last weekend and Frank Rijkaard's side will need to be at their best if they are to weather the likely stormy reception at the Mestalla.
After a shaky start to the season the Catalans have dropped just two points from their last six matches and are now three clear of Athletic Bilbao in fourth place in the table.
Ronaldinho has been in outstanding form, orchestrating the team from midfield, providing a host of chances for his forwards and weighing in with seven goals including a brilliant effort in last week's 3-1 win over Atletico Madrid.
Barcelona's revival has coincided with the arrival of Edgar Davids on loan from Juventus, but the pugnacious Dutchman will be missing against Valencia after his sending off last weekend.
Valencia may have to do without Argentine playmaker Pablo Aimar who is nursing a minor groin strain, while defender Javier
Garrido will miss out because of a suspension.
Other Primera Liga matches this weekend (league positions in brackets):
Saturday (kickoff 2030 GMT unless stated):
ATLETICO MADRID (7) v DEPORTIVO CORUNA (3) 1630
Deportivo made up valuable ground on the top two last weekend thanks to their 2-0 win over Osasuna, and will be hopeful of following it up with a victory at the Calderon.
Atletico have lost just one match at home this season, but they have not won in their last four outings and will be without leading striker Fernando
Torres, who is suspended.
CELTA VIGO (16) v MALAGA (13)
Celta have experienced a mini-revival under new coach Radomir Antic with victories in their last two league games, but playmaker Alexander Mostovoi is doubtful because of a minor groin strain and fellow midfielder Everton Giovanella is out for three weeks with a pulled leg muscle.
Malaga ended their six-match losing streak with a crushing 5-2 victory over Espanyol, but they will have to make do without midfielder Manu and defender Fernando Sanz who are suspended.
ESPANYOL (19) v REAL MADRID (1) 1830
With
David Beckham and
Guti both out on suspension Real coach
Carlos Queiroz will have to find a new partnership for the centre of midfield.
Zinedine
Zidane, who extended his contract with the club until 2007 on Thursday, may be asked to move inside to partner former youth team player
Borja, while Argentine winger Santiago
Solari is favourite to fill in on the left.
Espanyol ran Real close at the Bernabeu earlier this season, but have had an demoralised look about them in recent games.
SEVILLA (10) v REAL SOCIEDAD (11)
Sevilla striker
Julio Baptista racked up a hat-trick in last week's 3-1 win over Murcia and Sociedad will need to be on their guard if they are to shackle the powerful Br
azilian in front of his home crowd.
Sociedad now have a more confident look about them and will be looking to their own forward combination of Darko Kovacevic and Nihat Kahveci to test the rugged Sevilla back four.
Sunday (kickoff 1600 unless stated):
ALBACETE (17) v MURCIA (20)
If basement side Murcia are to keep their slim hopes of survival alive they must win this one. John Toshack's Murcia side have won just two matches all season, but their opponents are little better off after going eight games without a win.
ATHLETIC BILBAO (5) v REAL BETIS (8) 2000
An intriguing clash in prospect between two in-form sides. Athletic have moved up to fifth after three wins in four games, while Betis are only two points behind after four wins in a row. History is against Betis, though, as the Andalucians have only ever won four league games at San Mames.
OSASUNA (9) v REAL MALLORCA (15)
After a flying start to the season, Osasuna have gone off the boil, taking just one point from their last three games. Uruguayan midfielder
Pablo Garcia is serving the first of a two-match ban for Osasuna, but Javier Aguirre's side should still prove too powerful.
RACING SANTANDER (12) v VALLADOLID (14)
A tight contest in prospect as two teams on the wane seek to end their recent losing streaks. Both have lost three in a row, but while Valladolid lost 2-0 at home to Celta last time out, Racing were thumped 6-3 at Villarreal.
REAL ZARAGOZA (18) v VILLARREAL (6)
Villarreal ended their three-match losing run with a resounding win over Racing and will provide a tough test for Zaragoza who have dropped back into the relegation zone.