Márquez urges safety first for Barça

By Andy Hall

FC Barcelona centre-back Rafael Márquez is urging caution ahead of second-from-bottom Albacete Balompié's trip to the Camp Nou, while Real Madrid CF will look to cut the leaders' six-point advantage by winning at Real Sociedad de Fútbol.

Barça test
Barcelona face an Albacete side without a win in seven outings on Sunday, but Márquez is taking nothing for granted. "These situations can be very deceptive," he said. "We must not fall into the trap of underestimating our rivals, whoever they might be and whatever circumstances they're in."

Xavi absence
Coach Frank Rijkaard is expected to deploy Andrés Iniesta in place of the suspended Xavi Hernández. Albacete, who lost this fixture 5-0 last season, are without the suspended Mikel Buades and Pablo Redondo while Álvaro Rubio is injured.

Madrid depleted
Madrid could reduce Barça's lead to three points as they visit Real Sociedad on Saturday, but Míchel Salgado, Zinedine Zidane and Walter Samuel all serve bans. Thomas Gravesen returns from an ankle injury and is confident about Madrid's chances. "We must take each game as it comes and start by beating La Real," he said. "One thing is certain, we'll give everything to win the league."

European dreamers
Third-placed Sevilla FC, on 55 points, welcome injury-hit RC Deportivo La Coruña, while two points behind, RCD Espanyol travel to RCD Mallorca hoping that Raúl Tamudo and Didier Domi will be passed fit. Also in the hunt for UEFA Champions League qualification, fifth-placed Villarreal CF will hope to make up for Thursday's loss at CA Osasuna by defeating Getafe CF.

Valencia surge
Valencia CF's late surge has lifted them to sixth, level with Villarreal on 52 points. Bottom team CD Numancia host Antonio López's side, who await news on injured duo David Albelda and Francisco Rufete. Real Betis Balompié, in seventh, go to Real Racing Club Santander.

Levante mission
Tied on 47 points, Club Atlético de Madrid and Athletic Club Bilbao meet in Madrid on Saturday with the locals shorn of Peter Luccin and Pablo Ibáñez. Levante UD must pick up points at home to Málaga CF to reach safety, and Real Zaragoza entertain Osasuna.