Atlético plot Barça downfall

By Andy Hall

Club Atlético de Madrid's trip to league leaders FC Barcelona is one of the highlights of Spain's weekend programme while title contenders Real Madrid CF also face Catalan rivals as RCD Espanyol visit the Santiago Bernabéu.

'Fired up'
Midfielder Peter Luccin is suspended for Atlético, but Marcelo Sosa is ready to step in. "We are fired up - whenever we play Barça or Madrid, expectations are elevated and they're always games we look forward to," he said. "This will be a difficult game but the fact that Barça are leaders will not come into it - we'll be going for the three points."

Valdés landmark
Home goalkeeper Víctor Valdés could break a personal record if he keeps a clean sheet for the first 61 minutes of the match. The 23-year-old has gone 275 minutes without conceding a goal. Top scorer Samuel Eto'o will also achieve a landmark and equal his tally of 17 from last season should he register.

Tamudo suspended
In Madrid, Vanderlei Luxemburgo's men play an Espanyol team shorn of the suspended Raúl Tamudo. Ronaldo, who was unavailable last weekend, returns while changes are likely in midfield with Guti expected to start should Zinedine Zidane fail to overcome a stomach bug.

Midfielders return
Third-placed Valencia CF travel to Real Sociedad de Fútbol. Roberto Ayala joined the casualty list last week after suffering a rib injury, but Marco Caneira, Francisco Rufete and Mohamed Sissoko could be passed fit. Sevilla FC, in fifth place, are at Levante UD with numerous absentees in defence. One point and one place behind, Real Betis Balompié entertain Sevilla's midweek Copa del Rey conquerors, CA Osasuna.

Coloccini ready
RC Deportivo La Coruña coach Javier Irureta welcomes one of his former clubs, Athletic Club Bilbao, with new boy Fabricio Coloccini set for his Blanquiazules debut. Villarreal CF's on-song striker Diego Forlán could match Víctor Fernández's club record of 14 seasonal goals, at home to Real Racing Club Santander.

Relegation tussles
At the wrong end of the table, Málaga CF's meeting with RCD Mallorca is of vital importance to both clubs. Albacete Balompié, also in the danger zone, entertain Real Zaragoza while Getafe CF host bottom-placed CD Numancia.