[Magical20]

Real Madrid travel south on Saturday to face Sevilla in a top-of-the-table clash, while Barcelona host Real Sociedad keen to keep their place at the top of the league and Valencia play Deportivo.

Madrid, who are point behind Barcelona, have an injury doubt over Francisco Pavon for the big match in the Sanchez Pizjuan, while Cicinho is a long-term casualty and Guti is suspended.

Ronaldo will look for a start and to continue his excellent form after scoring last week against Athletic and bagging a brace against Dynamo Kiev in the Champions League in midweek.

Sevilla, a further point back, may be missing Fernando Sales and will definitely be without Enzo Maresca and Jesus Navas thanks to knee injuries.

Barca centre half Rafael Marquez is struggling with an ankle knock, while Lionel Messi and Samuel Eto'o are injured until well after Christmas. Igor Jauregui is out indefinitely with a stomach problem for Real and Fabio Felicio may also sit out the Saturday match in the Camp Nou.

Valencia are still reeling from their long list of injuries and have hired a psychologist to help their players deal with the casualty list ahead of their meeting with Deportivo, the headlining clash on Sunday.

Jose Luis Mora, Fernando Morientes and Marco Regueiro are all doubtful, while Edu, Emiliano Moretti, Jaime Gavilan, David Albelda, Carlos Marchena and Asier del Horno are out for some time to come.

Depor must still cope without Jorge Andrade, though the defender will return to action soon after several months on the sidelines. Also likely to be out are striker Rodolfo Bodipo and playmaker Juan Carlos Valeron.

Atletico play at home to Espanyol with a cloud hanging over the participation of Pablo Ibanez. Martin Petrov and Maxi Rodriguez are to miss the majority of the season with knee injuries. Espanyol striker Luis Garcia also has a knee problem that will keep him out till Christmas.

Athletic Club welcome Recre to the San Mames minus only one player, Tiko, who has an ankle knock. The visitors have two men missing, Fernandez Serrano Poli and Antonio Sanchez de la Calle.

Getafe duo Ruben Pulido and Cosmin Contra are suspended for the visit of Betis to the Coliseum Alfonso Perez. Veljko Paunovic and Juan Albin are injured for the Madrid satellite town.

There are no doubts for Betis, only long-term absentees Antonio Doblas and David Odonkor.

Nastic are missing Oscar Lopez and Levante Ian Harte for their match in Tarragona.

Celta have a host of doubts for the match with Villarreal, who in turn have no new injury concerns. In other matches Osasuna host Mallorca and Racing welcome Zaragoza to Santander.

Eurosport - Jonathan Symcox - 08/12/2006 18:47