La Liga Weekend Preview: Round 32

Saturday 12 April 2008 (all times local)
20:00 Valencia - Racing
22:00 Recreativo - Barcelona
Sunday 13 April
17:00 Valladolid - At. Madrid
17:00 Betis - Levante
17:00 Getafe - Zaragoza
17:00 Espanyol - Osasuna
17:00 Deportivo - Athletic
17:00 Mallorca - Sevilla
19:00 R. Madrid - Murcia
21:00 Almería - Villarreal

Valencia CF - Real Racing Club

Troubled Valencia kick off the weekend with more than mere relegation woes on their mind.

In fact they have something just as important coming up midweek: a trip to meet Getafe at the Vicente Calderón in the Copa del Rey final.

Still, they cannot ignore their league duties: after another severe loss last week, they're in real relegation trouble.

Racing, for their part, aren't yet out of the Champions League race, but a "derby" defeat at the hands of Depor hasn't helped their case any.

Recreativo de Huelva - FC Barcelona

Next up, Barça will look to get over the disappointment of last week's draw at Getafe as they visit Recre.

They've already gone some way towards mending the wounds with a hard-fought win over Schalke midweek in the Champions League, although it wasn't the most impressive of games.

Still, with Manchester United some weeks away, they'll be fully focused on this Liga encounter.

The Decano picked up a close-fought win themselves last week, beating Osasuna in Pamplona to ease their relegation woes considerably, but it's worth remembering that last time the two sides met, the blaugrana dished out a thrashing at Camp Nou.

Real Valladolid - Atlético Madrid

The Pucela, for their part, beat Levante last week to help their own case in terms of moving up the Liga, but no doubt Atleti will prove a tough match.

Still, Javier Aguirre's men are as inconsistent - and entertaining - as ever, being pulled back to 3-3 by a hideously depleted Almería side last week before finally emerging 6-3 victors over nine men.

The rojiblancos are utterly determined to secure that fourth place, though, and won't accept anything less than a win at what can in fact be a quite intimidating arena.

Real Betis Balompié - Levante UD

The Béticos have found points easier to come by later as they strive towards mid-table, but even Levante can't be taken lightly.

The Valencians are essentially doomed already, and even the most ardent granota fan won't believe that a win here will take them on a wonder-run to safety.

Still, that won't stop the squad - a mixture of the die-hard squad members left after winter's financial disaster and youths eager to impress - from attempting to pull off a shock.

Getafe CF - Real Zaragoza

Getafe welcome German giants Bayern Munich to suburban Madrid on Thursday evening for arguably the second-biggest game in the club's short history.

Their biggest match was last season in the Copa del Rey final, where they fell just short against Sevilla. Thankfully for the Azulones, they have the chance to make amends against Valencia next week.

This may mean that they're somewhat tired and distracted for this encounter - something that the maños will seek to take advantage of.

After Betis thrashed them on their own patch last week, getting away from the deeply unhappy Romareda may actually help their case. We'll see.

RCD Espanyol - CA Osasuna

Espanyol's free-fall towards mid-table continues - sad news for a side once on the verges not only of the Champions League, but in fact the summit of the Liga itself.

Still, they have the bounce Osasuna, a side whom they joined in the UEFA Cup quarter-finals last season.

Their paths have diverged since then, with the rojillos spending much of the season in the wrong half of the table, but they'll still fancy themselves safe if they pick up all three points here.

Deportivo La Coruña - Athletic Club Bilbao

Depor may soon be Super Depor once again if they keep this up. Just like last season, they're striding into form heading into the final straight.

A 3-1 win in Cantabria was just the tonic for a side that occupied 19th spot for a considerable length of time, and it's one that they'll be keen to build on in front of the long-suffering Riazor fans.

The Lions are themselves top half now, though, after no shortage of good form from the Basques. However, they are traditionally home specialists: how will they fare in Galicia?

RCD Mallorca - Sevilla FC

Mallorca's home draw with Real Madrid was nothing if not exciting, but they now face another tough clash in the form of Sevilla.

The Andalucians had a do-or-die event against Villarreal last week, and do they did, securing a merited 2-0 home win over one of the Liga's form sides.

That's boosted the confidence by no small measure heading into the final straight, and that's just what they need considering that, unless Champions LEague football is assured, this great squad could be broken up by wealthy suitors.

Real Madrid - Real Murcia

Among whom may be Real Madrid. The blancos, despite dropping two points last week, seem to be en route towards a second successive league title, and they'll fancy all three points against Murcia.

The Pimentoneros, cursed with poor form, bad luck and more than one example of bad refereeing, are still adrift in 19th, but they know that the merengues are no longer infallible.

Still, the odds on an away win here are quite understandably long...

UD Almería - Villarreal CF

Finally, Almería - still excelling all expectations in their debut top-flight season - welcome Villarreal to the coast.

The Yellow Submarine are licking their wounds after that loss in Seville last week, but they remainb oth on-form and on target for third or second place.

But this is, to use a dreadful cliché, a potential banana-skin for Pellegrini's side, who will note that even mighty Madrid have been humbled here already this season. No room for complacency, then.