Galician rivals in the spotlight

Two of Germany's most famous clubs meet in a crucial relegation match on Tuesday but the Galician derby in Spain takes top billing in Europe as leaders RC Celta de Vigo aim to strengthen their grip on the Primera División.

Booed off
Celta are flying high, having replaced Real Madrid CF at the summit with a 1-0 victory at RCD Mallorca on Saturday, but the timing of the game could not be any worse for RC Deportivo La Coruña. Javier Irureta's side have only taken two points from their last eight games and were booed from the pitch following their 1-0 weekend defeat by Deportivo Alavés.

Unbeaten run
The depressing run has seen Deportivo drop to fifth in the standings, three points behind a Celta side who are unbeaten since mid-November.  Recent history also favours Celta: Deportivo have not won a league meeting in Vigo since 1994/95, but Jesuli Nieto, who scored the crucial goal at Son Moix, is remaining level-headed.

'A long way to go'
"It is a very important game because we can open up a big gap over Deportivo," said Nieto. "It is nice to see yourself on top but there is still a long way to go until the end. What we have to do is go out on to the pitch and forget about other things because in this kind of game your league position is irrelevant. However, our morale is better and we have to show that on the pitch."

Injured players
Celta will be without influential defender Eduardo Berizzo. The Argentinian international broke his ankle on Saturday and should be replaced by Sergio Fernández. Deportivo are still without defender Manuel Pablo García who suffered a double fracture of the lower leg when the clubs met in September, an horrific injury which overshadowed a thrilling 2-2 draw at the Municipal de Riazor.

One home success
While the Galician clubs have both made great strides in recent times in Spain, both VfL Borussia Mönchengladbach and 1. FC Köln have faltered as the balance of power has steadily shifted in the 1. Bundesliga. Mönchengladbach started the season with a memorable home win over champions FC Bayern München; six months later it remains their only home success. They will try to change that against Köln tonight but, having ended the first month of the season in sixth place, the giants of the 1970s are now just one point clear of the relegation zone in 14th spot.

'We have a problem'
Coach Hans Meyer is aware of the stark reality facing the team that won promotion back to the Bundesliga only last season. "If we look at the balance sheet of our home matches we do have to confess that we have a problem," he said. Meyer's side can at least take some comfort from the fact that Köln are even worse off. Two points off the bottom and without a coach following the sacking of Ewald Lienen,  Köln have failed to find the net in eleven Bundesliga games and, with just five away goals to their name all season, can hardly afford to go a goal down at the Bökelbergstadion.

Slipped to fifth
Elsewhere in Germany, SV Werder Bremen coach Thomas Schaaf believes his side, who have slipped to fifth, have a lot to prove when they travel to TSV 1860 München. "We have not got it started again so far," said Schaaf, whose side have lost both matches since the resumption of the Bundesliga. "The team did not realise that it is not enough just to try to be pretty." VfL Wolfsburg travel to SC Freiburg looking to maintain their slim hopes of snatching a UEFA Cup place (the tenth-placed side are nine points adrift of the top six), while Hertha BSC Berlin are aiming to get back on track at FC Energie Cottbus. "We are in a run of bad luck where we are just not hitting the target," said coach Jürgen Röber. "This is what happens in football from time to time."

Influential duo missing
PSV Eindhoven will be missing influential duo Marc van Bommel and Kevin Hofland as they bid to replace AFC Ajax at the top of the Eredivisie with a win at RKC Waalwijk. The loss will be felt by the champions as they look to build on their 1-0 win over SC Fortuna Sittard on Saturday. PSV can reclaim first place with a win at the Mandemakers stadium, where they have never lost a league game.

Portadown on the up
Portadown FC are also seeking to claim top spot in Northern Ireland, and a defeat of fifth-placed Omagh Town FC will see them do so. The Shamrock Park club are level on points with leaders Glentoran FC but will move three points clear if they win on Tuesday.  In Wales, Barry Town FC will also extend their advantage at the top to three points if they win Tuesday's game in hand against Aberystwyth Town FC.