Because while Real welcome 12th-placed Real Valladolid to the Bernabeu, where the champions have not lost a league match in over a year and where they have won all 10 of their La Liga fixtures so far this season, Barca face a tough trip to Sevilla.

Seventh-placed Sevilla beat Real and Barca at home last season, and while the Andalusian side may not be having the best of campaigns this time around, they have still won eight of their 11 league matches at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan so far.

The UEFA Cup holders also boast the leading scorer in La Liga with Luis Fabiano having netted 16 goals already, but Barca defender Oleguer Presas insists his side should only be concerned about what they want to do.

"If we go out truly believing and play well, the opposition and their ability is a secondary consideration," he said.

Sevilla coach Manolo Jimenez, who revealed this week that they had applied to take part in next season's Intertoto Cup as a precaution against not getting into Europe through other routes, admits it is another vital game for his side as they chase a top-six finish.

"All the games are 'finals'. It we win, it would be an important step forward," he said.

Sevilla's clash with Barca takes place on Saturday, along with the visit of Villarreal to third-bottom Real Murcia and Deportivo La Coruna's home match against Getafe, where the Galician side go in search of a third successive league win.

The remainder of the 23rd round of games are on Sunday, when La Liga pacesetters Real will hope to keep intact their healthy lead over second-placed Barca, if not improve it.

It is just over 12 months since Real last suffered a league defeat in front of their own fans, when Levante claimed a shock 1-0 win.

Valladolid coach Jose Luis Mendilibar feels his promoted side could achieve something similar this weekend.

"Of course we are in a position to win, I am sure that we have a chance," he said. "While respecting our opponents, who have high-quality players who can decide a game in a single play, I think that their style of play will suit us."

Valencia will hope last weekend's 2-0 win at Valladolid - the team's first triumph in 10 league games - will ease some pressure as they host Real Betis, a side that Los Che defeated home and away in the Copa del Rey last month.

Valencia's city rivals Levante are another side who will be praying their recent improved form continues when they go to 15th-placed Athletic Bilbao.

Levante have picked up five points from their last three games, but they still remain 10 points adrift of safety.

At the other end of the table, Atletico Madrid face a testing trip to sixth-placed Racing Santander, a match Javier Aguirre's out-of-sorts side would probably rather have avoided.

Atletico have lost two and drawn one of their last three outings, while Racing's only defeat in their last 10 league and cup games came at Barcelona.

In this weekend's other La Liga games, third-placed Espanyol host second-bottom Recreativo Huelva, Real Zaragoza go at Osasuna and Almeria travel to Real Mallorca.