Injuries hurt Madrid challenge

By Andy Hall

Leaders FC Barcelona travel to bottom side CD Numancia in the Primera División on Saturday while Real Madrid CF's injury list is growing ahead of their trip to RC Deportivo La Coruña the same day.

Riazor test
Madrid trail Barça by seven points and visit the Riazor looking to slay the ghosts of a costly defeat there last season. Goalkeeper Iker Casillas said: "We lost any hope of winning the league because of that. But we have to remain positive because we cannot afford to drop any more points if we are to stay on Barça's tail."

Injury worries
Coach Vanderlei Luxemburgo has drafted in reserve-team right-back Miguel Palencia because of injury problems. Ronaldo (toe), Zinedine Zidane (right knee ligament) and Míchel Salgado (left knee ligament) are all struggling for fitness, while Roberto Carlos, Raúl González and David Beckham are fighting a flu bug and Iván Helguera is suspended.

'Great rival'
Eighteen points below Madrid in tenth place, Depor have Lionel Scaloni, Aldo Duscher and César Martín doubtful, and goalkeeper José Molina recovering from a back injury. But midfielder Juan Carlos Valerón remains upbeat, saying: "We should not feel pressure against Madrid, it is a pleasure to face such a great team in front of your own fans. Playing against Madrid inspires you to raise your game and we will be going out to give our best."

Valdés wait
Meanwhile, Numancia's on-loan midfielder Ramón Ros will be ineligible to take on his former Barcelona team-mates on Saturday. The visitors are waiting news on goalkeeper Víctor Valdés who suffered a blow to the head during Wednesday's UEFA Champions League win against Chelsea FC.

Oliveira date
Elsewhere, the Seville clubs both have 41 points and fill third and fourth positions. Real Betis Balompié, who lead their neighbours on goal difference, are away to sixth-placed Valencia CF. Betis's 15-goal top scorer Ricardo Oliveira will be relishing the meeting with his former employers. Sevilla FC entertain Real Racing Club Santander.

UEFA Cup places
A point behind in fifth, Villarreal CF go to a Real Zaragoza side missing suspended forward Savio Bortolini. RCD Espanyol, in seventh, will hope to make up lost ground at home to Albacete Balompié on Sunday. Elsewhere, San Mamés is the venue for Athletic Club Bilbao's encounter with Getafe CF, Club Atlético de Madrid tackle Real Sociedad de Fútbol, CA Osasuna play Málaga CF, and Levante UD make the journey to RCD Mallorca.