No time for European hangovers as Spanish title race continues

FC Barcelona and Real Madrid both face difficult away matches this weekend in Spain' s BBVA Primera Liga.

Barcelona have to cross town to face local rivals, Espanyol, who can be relied on to give everything they have against their neighbors, while Real Madrid face a difficult trip to the north-west of Spain to face an in-form Celta Vigo.

Both sides will travel with tired legs, but their moral sky high after qualifying for the semi-finals of the Champions League during the week and once again the issue of squad rotations will be vital for coaches Luis Enrique and Carlo Ancelotti.

The ease of Barca' s win at home to Paris Saint Germain on Tuesday means Luis Enrique may not make too many changes. He was able to rest Andres Iniesta and Sergio Busquets and the only likely changes are the entry of Claudio Bravo and perhaps Marc Bartra into his starting 11, against a rival whose main threat will come from former Barca youngster Sergio Garcia.

Real Madrid do not play until Sunday night and Ancelotti will still be without injured duo Gareth Bale and Luka Modric, although Karim Benzema has a chance of recovering from the knee injury which kept him out on Wednesday.

Marcelo will return at left back and Asier Illaramendi could play in midfield, despite Sergio Ramos' display in that role against Atletico Madrid.

Atletico Madrid meanwhile need to bounce back from their Champions League exit as they face struggling Elche on Saturday afternoon with little time to recover from their European exertions.

Fernando Torres is likely to start against a rival that has had a mixed week with a good win at home to Real Sociedad on Monday, but the news that financial problems mean that for the moment they will not be able to make any new signings ahead of next season.

The round of matches kicks off on Friday as rock bottom Cordoba entertain Athletic Club Bilbao, who could move level with seventh place Malaga if they win.

Saturday sees Getafe, who are not safe from relegation yet, at home to Levante, who still need points to climb away from the danger zone, while Real Sociedad will hope at Villarreal' s recent drop in form will help them to take the home win they need to virtually assure their top flight future for next season.

Malaga face relegation threatened Deportivo la Coruna on Sunday lunchtime, while relegation is very much on the agenda in a key game between Almeria and Eibar, who have only one win in the second half of the campaign.

Sevilla hope to keep up their battle for a top four finish at home to Rayo Vallecano, who have nothing to play for, while Valencia will also look to strengthen their case for a place in next season' s Champions League at home to second bottom Granada on Monday. Endi