Sevilla set sights on leaders

By Andy Hall

Sevilla FC have the opportunity to gain ground on Primera División leaders FC Barcelona when the two teams meet on Sunday while Real Madrid CF face a frosty reception at CD Numancia.

Puyol problem
Frank Rijkaard's side are seven points clear at the top, but Carles Puyol is fighting a stomach bug so Rafael Márquez and new signing Demetrio Albertini will come into consideration if the defender is not fit to play in Seville. Argentinian striker Maxi López could be given his first taste of Spanish football after completing his transfer from CA River Plate on Thursday.

Selection hopes
Centre-back Pablo Ruiz sprained a knee ligament in Copa del Rey action in midweek and is not available for fourth-placed Sevilla, while striker Antoñito hopes his recent form will enhance his prospects of starting the game. "We respect Barça but we are not frightened by them," he said. "They will know that we have a good chance of taking the three points and that's what we intend to do."

Icy temperatures
Second-placed Madrid travel to Soria, where the sub-zero conditions forced Numancia to postpone their Copa del Rey quarter-final first leg earlier this week. The Merengues do without two South American players, though not because of the cold. Ronaldo is out for personal reasons while Walter Samuel recovers from surgery on a broken nose. The home team have centre-back Juan Ochoa suspended.

Caneira casualty
Valencia CF, five points behind Madrid in third, welcome Athletic Club Bilbao to the Mestalla. There were more injury problems for coach Claudio Ranieri this week as defender Marco Caneira suffered a thigh strain to join Vicente Rodríguez, Francisco Rufete and David Navarro on the sidelines. For Athletic, an ankle injury leaves Ismael Urzaiz doubtful, and flamboyant midfielder Francisco Yeste serves a ban.

Hopefuls meet
Fifth-placed RCD Espanyol entertain the side one place and one point below them, Real Betis Balompié, while Villarreal CF will seek to continue their impressive start to 2005 at Real Sociedad de Fútbol, who have Nihat Kahveci suspended.

Pamplona test
One point also separates CA Osasuna and RC Deportivo La Coruña, who meet in Pamplona. Elsewhere, Club Atlético de Madrid host struggling Albacete Balompié, RCD Mallorca take on Getafe CF, Real Racing Club Santander play Levante UD and Málaga CF travel to Real Zaragoza.