Different moods at the top as Spanish season reaches matchday 32

La Liga leaders Real Madrid will go into their game away to Sporting Gijon in a far more positive frame of mind than Barcelona, who will approach their match at home to Real Sociedad in what could be another decisive week in the battle for the title and also to avoid relegation.

The battle to qualify for next season's Europa League is first on the menu, however, as Athletic Club Bilbao entertain Las Palmas in the San Mames Stadium in what is a must win game for the Basque side following last weekend's defeat in Villarreal.

Saturday kicks off with Deportivo la Coruna desperate for a win at home to a Malaga side that has climbed away from the danger zone thanks to consecutive wins.

Real Madrid are next in action with a trip to play Sporting Gijon, whose hopes of avoiding relegation have suffered a huge setback with two defeats in their last two games that have left them five points away from safety.

Madrid travel north on the back of their 2-1 win away to Bayern Munich in the Champions League and with their morale sky high. Zinedine Zidane will possibly rest some of his key players for the return leg of their European tie, but won't have that luxury in defense where Sergio Ramos and Nacho Fernandez are his only two fit center-halves.

Atletico are next up and aim to cement their place in third at home to bottom of the table Osasuna, who nevertheless travel to the capital following consecutive wins, which will probably do little to help their campaign to avoid the drop.

With only a slender lead over Leicester City in their Champions League tie, Atletico boss Diego Simeone will also be tempted to make changes and will hope striker Kevin Gameiro is available to play.

There is a different mood in Barcelona, after their 3-0 thrashing away by Juventus and the post-match criticism Luis Enrique directed at his players. Barca entertain fifth-placed Real Sociedad, who have their sights set on a place in Europe and with Asier Illaramendi and David Zurutuza both fit for the visitors, Barca will have to improve on their midweek showing in order to avoid an upset which would definitively end their title hopes.

Leganes suffered a body blow to their chances of avoiding relegation when they lost to Osasuna last week, but they still have a five-point cushion over Sporting Gijon, which they can add to win their home game against Espanyol, who maintain an outside chance of a top-six finish.

All eyes will be on Sevilla coach Jorge Sampaoli as his side visit Valencia after stories that he will meet with members of the Agentinean Football Association about taking over as national team coach against the wishes of his club, who need a win in order to stay in the contest for third place with Atletico Madrid.

Betis coach Victor Sanchez has possibly one last chance to save his job as his side entertain Eibar. The Basques travel in seventh place in the table and are possibly the last team a chaotic Betis need to face at the moment.

Tony Adams makes his debut as Granada coach at home to Celta, who could also make squad rotations due to their European commitments. The round of matches ends on Monday when Alaves look to end a three-game losing streak at home to Villarreal. Endit