With Cristiano Ronaldo and Gonzalo Higuain absent, Raul Gonzalez
looks set to return to a starring role when Real Madrid aims to
secure its first victory at Deportivo La Coruna in nearly two
decades on Saturday.
Ronaldo received a two-game suspension for breaking an
opponent's nose last weekend, while Higuain remains sidelined for
the Spanish league game with an injury.
Raul holds the club records for games played and goals
scored, but hasn't started since November's Champions League game
against FC Zurich.
But with Karim Benzema the only striker left in the squad
after Ruud van Nistelrooy's transfer to Hamburg, the 32-year-old
Madrid icon looks set to feature in coach Manuel Pellegrini's
starting lineup.
Madrid hasn't won at El Riazor stadium since 1991, and
although it appealed Ronaldo's ban in the hopes of having him
available for the game, the Spanish football federation upheld the
suspension.
"We all think the same - Cristiano never had any intention of
trying to hurt his opponent," Madrid defender Sergio Ramos said.
"That's why the sanction is unfair."
If Madrid has another slip-up, it could allow Barcelona to
extend its lead at Sporting Gijon, where it won 6-1 last season.
Barcelona has won its last three games by a combined 12-0
score to finish the first half of the season unbeaten.
Sporting coach Manuel Preciado has at least given Madrid hope
with some fighting words, although he believes his opponent hasn't
changed much from last season.
"I see the same Messi, the same (Daniel) Alves, the same
(midfielders) with their beastly knowledge of football and
unmeasurable quality," Preciado said. "We have to go out and enjoy
our football but also make our own mark. People have been looking
forward to this game for quite awhile and we can't let them down on
Saturday."
Alves may not be available after hurting his right leg in
training on Thursday, although scans revealed no muscle tear. The
Brazil defender will be re-evaluated on Friday.
Midfielders Sergio Busquets and Jeffren Suarez trained
normally with the team on Thursday, while midfielder Yaya Toure is
likely to be absent after having just returned from the African
Cup.
Barcelona leads with 49 points, Madrid has 44, Valencia is
third with 39, while Mallorca and Deportivo both have 34 points in
fourth.
Sevilla is hoping to boost its Champions League hopes Sunday
when it welcomes Valencia to the Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium.
"This Sunday is a key game for us in terms of not losing
ground on those above us," Sevilla winger Diego Capel said.
"Valencia is third and we know how important it is to win at home."
Sevilla ended a four-game losing streak last weekend and
another victory will narrow its deficit to Valencia, which holds a
direct qualifying spot into Europe's top-tier competition. Sevilla
has 33 points.
Sevilla strikers Frederic Kanoute and Luis Fabiano are
available, while Valencia's attack will be looking to bounce back
from a disappointing 0-0 draw at Tenerife where it brought little
flair.
Still, Valencia is it's best-ever away form, having picked up
23 points from 10 games so far.
"It's a dangerous and important game, but it's not a defining
one," Valencia forward Juanma Mata said. "The goal is to win and to
increase our advantage."
Also Sunday, it's: Tenerife vs. Zaragoza; Xerez vs. Mallorca;
Villarreal vs. Osasuna; Valladolid vs. Almeria; Getafe vs. Racing
Santander; and Atletico Madrid vs. Malaga.
Espanyol plays Athletic Bilbao on Saturday.
