Decisive derby: Real Madrid and Atletico look to stay alive
MADRID (AP) - Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid will try to keep their title hopes alive when they meet in the city derby this weekend.
The loser at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium on Saturday will virtually end its chances of winning the Spanish league.
Atletico is eight points behind Barcelona, while Real Madrid is nine points back going into the 26th round. Barcelona, which can tie Real Madrid's record of 34 unbeaten games in all competitions set in 1988 and 1989, hosts fifth-place Sevilla on Sunday.
Real Madrid and Atletico are coming off disappointing draws in the league, but Madrid go in with an edge as it has won seven straight at home, outscoring opponents 37-7.
Real Madrid's last setback at the Bernabeu was the 4-0 defeat to Barcelona, which eventually led to the replacement of coach Rafa Benitez by Zinedine Zidane.
Atletico can take comfort by having won the last two league games against Real Madrid at the Bernabeu.
The first Madrid derby this season ended in a 1-1 draw at Atletico's Vicente Calderon Stadium.
"It will be a great derby," Atletico Madrid defender Filipe Luis said. "Real Madrid is very strong when playing at home, but we are one of the best teams in the league when playing away. We know it's going to be a game decided by details. We have to be as prepared as ever."
Here are other things to watch at the Spanish league this weekend:
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BARCELONA'S NEMESIS
Barcelona will try to increase its lead against Sevilla, the last team to defeat the defending champions.
After the 2-1 loss at Sevilla in the league's seventh round in October, Barcelona has gone on a 33-game unbeaten streak.
The game at the Camp Nou will be a preview of the Copa del Rey final as the teams will play on May 22.
With Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar thriving, Barcelona will be looking to win its ninth game in a row at the Camp Nou, where its last setback was a 2-2 draw against Deportivo La Coruna in December.
Sevilla is unbeaten in seven league games.
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RONALDO'S STREAK
Cristiano Ronaldo has thrived at the Santiago Bernabeu, scoring seven goals in his last three games at the stadium.
He scored two goals in the 4-2 win over Athletic Bilbao, three in the 6-0 rout of Espanyol, two again in the 5-1 victory over Sporting Gijon, and the Portuguese striker also scored in the 1-1 draw at Malaga last weekend.
"It is an important game, at home, in front of the fans, against a tough opponent that defends well," Ronaldo said in comments published on the team's website. "It is a game that we have to win, and go into strong. We know that La Liga is difficult but we need to fight until the end."
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ATLETICO'S DROUGHT
Atletico Madrid has been playing well on defense again, but the offense has hit a standstill. The team has scored only one goal in its last three matches.
It is coming off scoreless draws against Villarreal in the Spanish league and at PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League.
"I'm satisfied because I see that we are creating scoring opportunities and that we are attacking," coach Diego Simeone said. "The goal will come, we have to keep insisting."
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BENZEMA'S RETURN
Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema will likely return to the starting lineup in the derby on Saturday.
Benzema missed last Sunday's 1-1 draw at Malaga because of a back problem.
The French striker has scored 19 goals in 19 games in the Spanish league this season.
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NEVILLE'S RUN
Valencia will be trying to win three league games in a row for the first time this season when it hosts Athletic Bilbao on Sunday.
Gary Neville's team has won two consecutive matches after 12 straight games without a victory in the league.
Another good result at its Mestalla Stadium could move the club into the top half of the standings.
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UNBEATEN VILLARREAL
Fourth-place Villarreal has a chance to move closer to the leader when it hosts second-to-last-place Levante on Sunday, it hasn't lost in 12 consecutive league games.
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Tales Azzoni on Twitter: http://twitter.com/tazzoni