体坛英语新闻：Decisive weekend ahead in Spanish title race

MADRID, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- Two matches this coming weekend will go a long way to determining the destination of the BBVA Primera Liga title and which side finishes fourth in the league.

Although there are still 13 games to be played in Spain, last weekend' s results which left FC Barcelona with a lead of 8 points over second placed Atletico Madrid and 9 clear of Real Madrid, look to be almost definitive in terms of who will win this season' s title.

That lead looks even more decisive considering Real and Atletico go head to head in the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

The Madrid derby means that at least one or perhaps both of Barca' s title rivals will drop more points, leaving them with an almost impossible gap to close.

Atletico are unhappy at the timing of the game, which come hot on the heels of Wednesday' s Champions League tie away to PSV Eindhoven, while Real Madrid have had all week to prepare.

Atletico coach Diego Simeone will also be worried about his side' s lack of goals with just one in their last 3 matches, although he will set his stall out to keep things tight at the back and look to steal a chance from a counter-attack or a set piece in the Bernabeu.

Real Madrid average five goals a game at home since Zinedine Zidane replaced Rafael Benitez, but will still be without Gareth Bale and possibly Karin Benzema for what is likely to be another feisty match between two local rivals with more than just pride at stake.

Barcelona have to wait until Sunday before their game, which will not be easy against a Sevilla side which is fifth in the table, all be it eight points behind fourth placed Villarreal.

Sevilla have an Europa League game in Norway on Thursday night, but after winning the first leg 3-0 coach Unai Emery should be able to rest key players.

Barca will be wary of Sevilla, who will be their rivals in the final of the King' s Cup on May 22nd and who beat them in the Sanchez Pizjuan stadium earlier this campaign, however, they will also know that Emery' s men have not won away from home in the league this season and that Emery has only beaten Barca once in his coaching career.

A win for Barca and a draw in the Madrid derby would leave the outcome of the title race clear with 12 weeks remaining.

Villarreal will also be looking for a Barca win, knowing that if they are able to beat struggling Levante, who will field former Villarreal star Giuseppe Rossi in their side, they will move 11 points clear in fourth place.

Other games this weekend see Eibar at home to Las Palmas, who need to start picking up points fast. Celta Vigo travel to face Getafe, while Sporting Gijon can once again put the pressure on Espanyol coach Constantin Galca in a game between two sides uncomfortably close to the relegation zone.

Betis and Rayo promises to be an open game while there is an evenly matched affair between Real Sociedad and Malaga, two sides very much on the up of late.

Finally Gary Neville looks for his third league win in 3 games at home to Athletic Club Bilbao, while Jose Gonzalez makes his debut as coach of bottom of the table Granada away to Deportivo la Coruna.