Big two kick off match day 10 in Spain

Big two kick off match day 10 in Spain

MADRID, Nov. 8 (Xinhua) -- Real Madrid and FC Barcelona both have home matches to kick off the 10th round of matches in the Spanish Primera Liga.

Real Madrid needs a win over Malaga to put a stop to doubts that have arisen after their failure to win any of their last three games. Bernd Schuster's side lost 2-3 to Real Union, drew 1-1 away to Almeria and was beaten 2-0 at home by Juventus in the Champions League this Wednesday.

That has raised questions over the ability of Bernd Schuster's side to seriously compete this season and Schuster will have problems picking his 11 on Saturday night.

Arjen Robben is out for six weeks with a torn muscle in his groin, while defenders Pepe and Sergio Ramos are also struggling to be fit.

Malaga meanwhile wants to get back on track after a four game-winning run ended with a 1-4 home defeat to Barcelona last weekend.

Barcelona saw their own run of 11 straight wins end with a 1-1 draw in the Champions League at home to Basel on Tuesday night, but will be favorites at home to Valladolid.

Andres Iniesta and Eric Abidal are injured for Barcelona, but coach Pep Guardiola can call on the services of Alexander Hleb, Thierry Henry, Seydou Keita and Sylvinho to cover their absences.

The rest of the games are played out on Sunday, with third placed Villarreal entertaining Almeria and fourth placed Valencia, who could only draw 1-1 against Copenhagen in the UEFA Cup on Wednesday night, are away to seventh placed Getafe.

Valencia coach Unai Emery will certainly have striker David Villa back in his starting 11.

Sevilla needs to end a run of poor results when they entertain local rivals Recreativo Huelva in the Sanchez Pizjuan stadium. Coach Manolo Jimenez is under pressure after four straight defeats, but will be without strikers Freddy Kanoute, Deigo Capel and Luis Fabiano through injury and suspension for what is a vital match.

Another side in a disastrous run of form, Athletic Club Bilbao, travel to Mallorca, where they will face former striker Aritz Aduriz. Aduriz was sold this summer against the wishes of the Athletic fans and should he score on Sunday, Athletic coach Joaquin Caparros will be seriously questioned.

Osasuna aim for their first win of the campaign at home to an Atletico Madrid capable of producing either excellent or disastrous football, depending on the day. Atletico will travel with their morale buoyed by an excellent Champions League display against Liverpool in Anfield.

Elsewhere Sporting Gijon go for their fifth consecutive league win away to struggling Racing Santander, Betis travel to fellow strugglers Numancia, and Deportivo la Coruna entertain Espanyol in the Riazor stadium.