Madrid: Barcelona faces a tough Spanish league match against Sevilla on Saturday, the same day that leader Real Madrid will look to brush off a poor cup result with a trip to Hercules.
Sevilla has won four of five matches since Gregrio Manzano took over as coach, but the Andalucian team has only won six times at the Camp Nou — the last in 2002.
Xavi Hernandez could return for defending champion Barcelona, which rested most of its regulars for a midweek win in the Copa del Rey, including all six of the players who were shortlisted for the FIFA world player of the year award.
Xavi has played sparingly over the past few weeks as he nurses a sore Achilles', with Lionel Messi doing most of the scoring as the Catalan team's attack hasn't netted as much as it would like. Defender Gabriel Milito returned from injury to train on Thursday and could be available.
David Villa is off to his worst start in seven seasons with only two goals, as the frustrated Spain striker has mostly found the woodwork despite many opportunities.
"There's no reason to doubt this team," goalkeeper Victor Valdes said on Thursday. "We've experienced some setbacks, but nothing more than that."
Sevilla is coming off an easy Copa del Rey win and a league victory that saw Brazil striker Luis Fabiano finally get on the scoreboard for the first time in two months. But it will be without goalkeeper and captain Andres Palop (leg).
Madrid, meanwhile, will be looking forward to a return to league play after a 0-0 draw against third-tier Murcia in the domestic cup competition. Prior to that, the league leaders beat Racing Santander, Malaga and Deportivo La Coruna by a combined 16-3.
Midfielders Xabi Alonso and Mesut Oezil, and defenders Ricardo Carvalho should return after sitting out the Murcia match, while Karim Benzema may not. The France striker is struggling with his form and has only one goal in 10 appearances this season.
Perhaps the reported addition of Zinedine Zidane to Jose Mourinho's coaching staff could make a difference. Spanish press reports have indicated Zidane may be close to joining Mourinho's entourage following a long meeting with the Portuguese coach and president Florentino Perez earlier this week.
While striker David Trezeguet returns from suspension to play for Hercules, midfielder Royston Drenthe will have to shell out € 2 million ($ 2.8 million) if he wants to suit up against his former team since he is on-loan at the Alicante club.
"I'm the one who wants to pay so I can play," said Drenthe, who has been a standout at the promoted team this season.
Trezeguet, who has scored four goals already, was expecting a tough test.
"Unfortunately if Roy can't play that means an important element of our system of play will be lost," the former France striker said. "Right now they're full of confidence and their scorers are enjoying a great moment."
Madrid leads the league with 20 points from eight games, while Villarreal and Barcelona both have 19 points. Valencia is next with 16 points, followed by Espanyol with 15 and Sevilla with 14.
Deportivo La Coruna and Zaragoza are still looking for their first victories. Deportivo welcomes Espanyol to El Riazor on Sunday, while Zaragoza has the tougher task with a match at Valencia.
Also Sunday, it's: Sporting Gijon vs. Villarreal; Racing Santander vs. Osasuna; Malaga vs. Real Sociedad; Atletico Madrid vs. Almeria; and Athletic Bilbao vs. Getafe.
Mallorca plays Levante on Monday.
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