Real look to end dismal record

Real look to end dismal record

Real Madrid will attempt to close the five-point gap on leaders Barcelona this weekend by achieving something they have not managed in almost two decades - beating Deportivo La Coruna at the Riazor.

Not since the 1991/92 season has a Madrid team returned from Depor with a maximum points haul, while the capital club have lost on each of their last six visits to the Galician outfit.

It is a dismal record and Madrid know they can ill afford another slip up on the road having taken just four points from their last four matches away from their Bernabeu fortress, where they have won all 10 games this season.

To make matters worse, Madrid are without Cristiano Ronaldo following his sending off against Malaga last week when his flailing elbow broke Denmark defender Patrick Mtiliga's nose and earned the Portugal international a straight red card.

The world's most expensive player has been given a two-match suspension and will not be able to face Depor.

Madrid reserve goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek said: "I think a two-game suspension is excessive, but I believe we can win without him. He is important, but we managed to win in Valencia without him."

Ronaldo is not the only player from both sides that will be absent.

For Madrid, the likes of Pepe, Gonzalo Higuain and Rafael van der Vaart are likely to be missing still, while fifth-placed Depor - who were knocked out of the Copa del Rey quarter-finals last night despite beating Sevilla 1-0 in the return leg - could be without half-a-dozen first teamers.

Among them is highly-rated wing-back Filipe Luis, who suffered a broken ankle during last week's win over Athletic Bilbao that is set to keep the Brazil international sidelined for the rest of the season.

With Madrid not playing Depor until late on Saturday night, champions Barca could once more build an eight-point gap as they travel to 10th-placed Sporting Gijon earlier in the evening.

Barca have won their last four competitive games, scoring 13 goals and conceding none in the process, while they have yet to lose in La Liga this season.

Despite that impressive form and Madrid's tough trip to Depor though, midfielder Xavi insists they should not get carried away.

He said: "There are a lot of points left and we'd like to increase the gap. There's a long way to go in the league and Real Madrid will fight to the end. We cannot relax but we are lucky that it's in our own hands."

Also on Saturday, Espanyol host Athletic.

The big match on Sunday sees third-placed Valencia travel to sixth-placed Sevilla.

Valencia are currently six points ahead of one of their main rivals for a Champions League berth, and they boasted the best away record in the division prior to their goalless draw at Tenerife last weekend.

Sevilla, meanwhile, have lost five of their last six competitive matches at their Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan home.

Malaga, having lost 2-0 at the Bernabeu last weekend, have their second successive trip to the capital when they go to inconsistent Atletico Madrid, while high-flying Getafe meet a Racing Santander side who also booked their spot in the Copa del Rey semi-finals along with Sevilla last night, knocking out Osasuna.

Wounded Osasuna now face a tricky match at Villarreal, while Almeria are at Real Valladolid and rock-bottom Xerez will attempt to avoid an eighth defeat in nine matches when they face fourth-placed Real Mallorca.

All three of the promoted sides are currently in the relegation zone, and the other two - Tenerife and Real Zaragoza - meet on the Canary Islands in Sunday's other game.