Who will reign in Spain?

With three weeks to go in the Spanish title race, the eyes of a nation turn from Barcelona's Camp Nou to the city's other arena, the Montjuic.

Bogey team
Primera División leaders Valencia CF travel to RCD Espanyol on Saturday night amid speculation that the Catalan club will be out to do second-placed Real Madrid CF a favour. Espanyol are traditionally pro-Madrid and also something of a bogey team, to Valencia.

Hard task
"They do not make it easy for you," said Valencia defender Roberto Ayala. "The important thing is for us to get the three points, not what has gone before. We really want to win and then go on to lift the title," added the Argentinian.

One-point advantage
Valencia, of course, are chasing their first league championship in 31 years. They could welcome back forwards John Carew and Salva Ballesta as they go in search of a fifth win in six league games. Rafa Benítez's men have a one-point advantage over holders Madrid who are in action at Real Sociedad.

Key men out
Following the Merengues' 2-0 defeat of FC Barcelona on Tuesday, the smart money is on an away victory at the Anoeta stadium. However, Madrid are likely to be without Luis Figo, Raúl González, Claude Makelele and Santiago Solari as well as the suspended Fernando Hierro and Francisco Pavón. The home side, still not safe from relegation, miss injured goalkeeper Sander Westerveld.

Still hoping
Whisper it, but there is a third team in with a shout of the title. RC Deportivo La Coruña might have lost where they had to win against Valencia last weekend, but they remain within five points of the summit. And according to their midfield player, Víctor Sánchez, they "have a lot to play for" against Málaga CF at the Riazor. "While we have a mathematical chance of the title, we have to try and take it. Valencia and Madrid could both slip up," he said.

Battle for fourth
Deportivo's current third placing would at least gain them entry to next year's UEFA Champions League, where they could be joined by their Galician rivals RC Celta de Vigo. Víctor Fernández's side go to Real Zaragoza keen to maintain their fourth position above Barcelona on goal difference. However, the coach's former club Zaragoza need the points just as much. They lie second bottom of the table - a long way from Fernández's time at La Romareda when they won the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup.

Beware backlash
Meanwhile, Villarreal CF should beware a Barcelona backlash when they visit Camp Nou. The fact the Madrigal club have a 100 per cent record in this fixture owes more to their short top-flight existence than any historical superiority over the Blaugrana. Víctor Fernández, their match-winner in this game last season, said: "It is very difficult to win there. Barcelona are coming off a bad result in the Champions League and are playing to save their season against us." For Barcelona and their besieged coach Carles Rexach, a Champions League berth is the minimum requirement.

Wins needed
Elsewhere, CD Tenerife and Club Atlético Osasuna must make home advantage tell against Real Valladolid and UD Las Palmas if they are to move out of the drop zone. While RCD Mallorca will be in danger of trading places with them should they lose against UEFA Cup hopefuls Real Betis Balompié. Deportivo Alavés and Athletic Club Bilbao will want to keep hold of the Betis coat-tails when they face Sevilla FC and Rayo Vallecano respectively.