Barcelona has tricky home game while Real Madrid visits Tenerife
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Barcelona faces a tricky home game against an in form Malaga on matchday 24 in Spain's first division soccer league.
Although Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola will probably be able to welcome back fit again right back Dani Alves for Saturday's game, his side could feel the effects of Tuesday's demanding Champions League tie away to Stuttgart.
Xavi Hernandez should be back to 100 percent fitness and his form will be vital against Malaga.
The side from the south coast spent virtually the whole of the first half of the season in the relegation zone, but a run of only one defeat in its last 14 matches has lifted it towards a more comfortable mid-table position.
Real Madrid also plays on Saturday night. Manuel Pellegrini's men face a flight to play second from bottom Tenerife.
As usual all eyes will be on Cristiano Ronaldo, whose face has been on the front covers of the sports papers every day this week following the free kick he scored in last Sunday’s 6-2 thrashing of Villarreal.
Tenerife started the season well at home, but has lost form in recent weeks, losing 4-1 in Bilbao last weekend. Another heavy defeat could cost coach Jose Luis Oltra his position as first team coach.
Midfielder Guti is available for Real Madrid after injury.
Saturday's games kick off with Getafe entertaining a Zaragoza side fourth from bottom of the table and struggling after last weekend's 3-1 home defeat against Sporting Gijon.
The big game on Sunday sees Atletico Madrid take on Valencia. Both sides came through their respective European ties successfully on Thursday, with Valencia beating Bruges and Atletico winning away to Galatasaray.
Atletico has been inconsistent all season, following good wins with poor performances and Valencia is favorite to take the points, especially as Atletico striker Kun Aguero was carried off with a face injury in Turkey.
Sevilla has a good chance to strengthen its grip on fourth place against Athletic Club. Athletic lost 4-0 to Anderlecht on Thursday, but a win in the Sanchez Pizjuan would give the side coached by former Sevlla boss Joaquin Caparros an outside chance of a top four finish itself.
Elsewhere there will be tension in the bottom of the table as Xerez entertains struggling Espanyol. Meanwhile Valladolid will look to climb out of the relegation zone with a win against Mallorca.
Mallorca's away form has been poor and Gregory Manzano's side lost its last two away matches against Xerez and Tenerife.
Neither Racing Santander nor Almeria can afford to slip up if they want to enjoy a tranquil end of the season, while Villarreal needs to recover following poor results and an exit from the Europa League.
Finally Sporting entertains Osasuna in a game between two sides firmly fixed in mid table.
