Something has to give at the start of Match Day nine in Spain's Primera Liga when Barcelona visit Malaga's la Rosaleda Stadium on Saturday night.
Malaga had a dreadful start to the season, losing their first three games and they looked favorites for a fast return to the second division.
However, Malaga have won its last four matches and currently lay a respectable sixth in the Primera Liga. It will be a big test for a Barcelona side that is also on form. Six straight wins have taken Barca to second and striker Samuel Eto'o is currently the top scorer in La Liga following a 23 minute hat-trick against Almeria last Saturday.
Saturday also sees fourth placed Villarreal travel to play Athletic Club Bilbao. Villarreal needs to bounce back following a 5- 0 Cup humiliation away to third tier side Polideportivo Ejido, while Athletic needs points to climb out of the relegation zone.
League leader Valenciais at home to struggling Racing Santanderand will be optimistic of taking the three points to stay top of the table. Their only injury is David Silva, who still has a month before he fully recovers from an ankle injury.
Atletico Madrid also plays on Saturday night and will see the visit of an erratic Mallorca as the best way to end a run of four games without a win. Kun Aguero should return to Javier Aguirre's side.
Real Madrid plays on Sunday and following their Copa Del Rey reversal away to Real Union, Bernd Schuster's side will be at full strength for a difficult test in Almeria.
Ruud van Nistelrooy returns to lead the attack, but Ruben de la Red will be out after he lost consciousness during Thursday night's Cup match.
High flying Sevilla is away from home and they have a complicated trip to Valladolid. Sevilla is still without Freddy Kanoute but will have forward Luis Fabiano back to full fitness for what is always a tricky match.
Elsewhere Espanyol wants to stop a slide down the table against bottom side Osasuna. The arrival of Jose Antonio Camacho at Osasuna has still not inspired the team to their first win of the season. Betis will be without their best forward Edu Schmidt, who tore a hamstring muscle this week. They entertain Deportivo, a team that struggles to score goals.
Finally Sporting Gijon aim for their fourth successive home win against Numancia, while Recreativo Huelva need the points at home to Getafe if they are to climb out of the relegation zone.
Source:Xinhua
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