Form teams meet in Spanish derby

By Andy Hall

Villarreal CF's in-form striker Diego Forlán is anticipating a passionate encounter as regional rivals Valencia CF are the guests at the Madrigal on Sunday, while Primera División leaders FC Barcelona welcome Real Racing Club Santander to the Camp Nou.

Impressive form
Claudio Ranieri's side have gone nine games without defeat while Villarreal have managed seven goals in their first two matches of 2005. "You can feel the tension mounting in the city as the big day draws near," said Forlán, Villarreal's top scorer with ten league strikes. "Our fans are eager to see us beat Valencia and they know what a victory against them means, they are a great team. It's going to a fascinating match."

Riquelme doubt
Villarreal's Juan Román Riquelme, who has been experiencing pains in his right calf, is doubtful while forwards Luciano Figueroa and Xisco are ruled out. Valencia have several absentees through injury, including Mohamed Sissoko, Vicente Rodríguez, Curro Torres, David Navarro and Miguel Ángel Angulo, while striker Bernardo Corradi is suspended.

Camp Nou challenge
Barcelona are hoping a home crowd will help them maintain their seven-point lead at the top when Racing visit on Saturday. Barça have begun the new year in hesitant fashion but defender Carles Puyol is unconcerned, saying: "We are getting stronger physically. Playing just once a week has given us more time to recover between games."

League focus
Real Madrid CF will want to put Wednesday's Copa del Rey exit behind them by treating their home fans to a win against RCD Mallorca, who have right-back David Cortés serving a ban while Guti remains a doubt for Vanderlei Luxemburgo. RCD Espanyol in fourth travel to RC Deportivo La Coruña, who are without César Martín and have not won in seven outings.

Oliveira opening
Two points behind Espanyol in fifth, Sevilla FC visit an Albacete Balompié side that recently signed a familiar face – their former striker Nico Oliveira. Struggling in the league but still going strong in the cup, CD Numancia make the trip to Real Betis Balompié.

Cup pretenders meet
Athletic Club Bilbao meet CA Osasuna at San Mamés, with both teams having progressed to the cup quarter-finals in midweek. In the weekend's other matches, Getafe CF play Real Zaragoza, Levante UD are at home to Real Sociedad de Fútbol, and Club Atlético de Madrid go south to Málaga CF.