Real Madrid need big win in Spain's matchday 16 if Benitez is to "eat the Xmas nougat"

The pressure continues to build on Real Madrid coach Rafael Benitez ahead of the last round of matches in the BBVA Primera Liga before Christmas.

Last weekend's defeat away to Villarreal saw Real Madrid slip five points behind joint league leaders, FC Barcelona and Atletico Madrid and only increased doubts about Benitez's suitability as coach.

With the press in Spain and France speculating openly about Zinedine Zidane's possible appointment as coach, Benitez knows his side needs a convincing win at home over Rayo Vallecano on Sunday afternoon in order to ease the pressure.

Rayo travel across town on the back of three successive league defeats, but with coach Paco Jemez promising they will play well in the Bernabeu. That may be the case but there are big questions about the Rayo defense, who will be without Madrid loanee Diego Llorente for the game, and their tactic of defending high up the park could be just the tonic Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale have been waiting for.

Anything other than an easy win, however and Benitez will be lucky to "eat the Christmas nougat," as the Spanish saying goes.

With no Barcelona in action this weekend as they play in the World Club Championship, Atletico Madrid can open a lead at the top of the table if they can win away to struggling Malaga on Sunday.

It could be a game of few goals, as Malaga have only scored in four matches this season, but count on one of the best defensive records in Spain, while Atletico have the meanest back line in the division.

Saturday kicks off with Gary Neville looking for his first win in charge of Valencia, who entertain Getafe.

A win will put Valencia back in the battle for European places, while Getafe are still looking over their shoulder at the relegation zone.

New Espanyol coach Constantin Galca makes his league debut after a successful start in the Cup in midweek as his side take on a Las Palmas outfit capable of good football despite their position near the bottom of the table.

Saturday's big game is the Seville derby between Betis and an improving Sevilla. In perhaps the most hotly contested derby in Spain, Betis need to find some home form if they are to stop Sevilla taking bragging rights in the city for the coming months.

Saturday ends with Deportivo la Coruna, fresh from their valuable point away to Barcelona, entertaining Eibar, who in midweek produced an impressive fightback to overturn a 3-0 deficit and remain in the King's Cup.

As well as the Real Madrid - Rayo and Malaga - Atletico matches, Sunday also sees Athletic Club Bilbao at home to Levante, while fourth placed Celta Vigo look to continue their positive first half to the campaign away to Malaga. Celta will however, be without injured forward, Nolito for the match.

The round of matches ends as Real Sociedad look for their third successive home win as the side from San Sebastian entertains high-flying Villarreal. Endi