Playing today

Deportivo  vs  Xerez  19:00
Barcelona  vs  Racing  21:00 SS7
Mallorca  vs  Sevilla  23:00 SS3

Playing on Sunday

Zaragoza  vs  Gijon  18:00
Ath. Bilbao  vs  Tenerife
Málaga  vs  Espanyol
Osasuna  vs  Valladolid
Almeria  vs  At. Madrid 20:00 SS7
Real Madrid vs  Villarreal  22:00 SS3
Valencia  vs  Getafe  22:00

MADRID - Real Madrid have little time to dwell on their midweek disappointment against Lyon as they prepare to face Villarreal on Sunday in the first of what could prove a decisive run of home matches.

An off-colour Madrid lost the away leg of their Champions League last-16 clash with Lyon 1-0 and they will need to produce a much better performance in the return meeting if they are to avoid tumbling out of the tournament at the same stage for the sixth successive season.

That match is not until next month, though, and in the meantime Madrid will need to concentrate their efforts on the league and try to make the most of the problems leaders Barcelona are experiencing.

The first challenge is a clash with coach Manuel Pellegrini’s former club Villarreal, which is arguably the biggest test Madrid have had so far at home in La Liga - where they have won 11 out of 11 and kept eight clean sheets.

It will not be Madrid`s final test at the Bernabeu, though, and their upcoming home matches are likely to determine whether Cristiano Ronaldo and co will be celebrating any silverware this season.

After the visit of Villarreal come successive league clashes with Sevilla, Sporting Gijon, Atletico Madrid, Barcelona and Valencia.

They also have the second leg of their European tie with Lyon during that spell, while knowing that if they go all the way to the Champions League final then they will play another key ‘home’ match as the Bernabeu is the host venue.

AGENCIES