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Aduriz looks to celebrate birthday at Madrid's expense in Spain's matchday 24

Xinhua, February 11, 2016 Adjust font size:

One of La Liga's 'golden oldies' will threaten Real Madrid's title challenge on Saturday, while elsewhere Valencia coach Gary Neville knows his side needs to take their first league win under his direction otherwise he will lose his job.

Athletic Club Bilbao striker, Aritz Aduriz celebrated his 35th birthday during the week and he celebrated it in the middle of his best ever season as a professional with 25 goals scored in all competitions, a total he will be looking to add to when Athletic travel to the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.

Athletic Club have lost 15 of their last 16 matches in all competitions in Real Madrid's home turf, but should pose more of a threat to a Real Madrid side without Marcelo and Gareth Bale, than Sporting Gijon and Espanyol, despite themselves being without suspended duo of Inaki Williams and Mikel San Jose.

The 24th round of games sees other vital ties, such as Villarreal's home game against a rapidly improving Malaga. A win for Villarreal would be another big step towards sealing Champions League football next season, while Malaga have given themselves a chance of European football next campaign.

Saturday's other key match sees Valencia at home to Espanyol in a game which will cost one or perhaps both of the coaches involved their jobs.

Espanyol's side to fourth from bottom has placed Constantin Galca on the brink, especially following his side's 6-0 hammering in Madrid and Monday's 5-0 home defeat to Real Sociedad, but most eyes will be on Gary Neville who has yet to win any of the nine league games he has been in charge for.

Failure to beat a side in freefall would make it impossible for the former Manchester United defender to remain in charge and it also remains to be sees the atmosphere in the Mestalla Stadium after fans stayed away from their Cup semi-final against Barca on Wednesday.

Saturday also sees Deportivo la Coruna at home to Betis, before Real Sociedad kick off Sunday at midday at home to second from bottom Granada, who have improved of late, but are still in trouble.

Sevilla's European ambitions will be boosted if they can defeat Las Palmas, while Eibar look to end a run of three straight defeats at home to bottom of the table Levante, who were unlucky to lose 2-0 at home to Barcelona a week ago.

There is a Madrid derby between Getafe and Atletico Madrid, which Atletico fans plan to boycott over high ticket prices imposed by the home side, while the round of matches ends with Barca at home to Celta Vigo.

Both sides were in Cup action during the week, but Luis Enrique was able to rest his entire side for the 1-1 draw in Valencia and that could well be a key factor in deciding the result as Messi, Suarez and company return to action with fresh legs. Endit