Madrid and Sevilla stage standout clash in Spanish league

Both sides are just behind the leader and in impressive form. With six rounds remaining, Barcelona has 62 points, Sevilla 61 and Madrid 60.

Madrid has won five of its last six games, boosting its hopes of ending a drought without a major trophy which stretches back to 2003.

Last weekend, coach Fabio Capello's team equaled a club record by gaining its 10th away win of the season.

"We're in a really good phase and we have to take advantage of it. The key to our revival is togetherness," Madrid defender Cicinho told sports daily As. "We have to win all our games. Barcelona and Sevilla are sure to drop points along the way."

Meanwhile, Sevilla could be heading for the greatest season in its history.

The Andalusian side, which was to play Osasuna in the second leg of the UEFA Cup semifinals later Thursday, remains in contention for three trophies this season.

However, Sevilla coach Juande Ramos said Sunday's match will provide a clue as to his team's chances of becoming champion for the first time since 1946.

"After the match at the Bernabeu, we'll see how real are possibilities are," he said. "With four or five games to play and having met all our direct rivals we'll be able to make a prediction."

Strikers Ruud van Nistelrooy of Madrid and Frederic Kanoute of Sevilla will hope to continue their impressive first seasons in Spain.

Van Nistelrooy, who joined from Manchester United, is third in the scoring charts with 18 goals from 31 games. Kanoute, a former Tottenham player, has 19 and shares the lead with Zaragoza striker Diego Milito.

"We have the opportunity to increase the pressure on both Barcelona and Madrid. We're in with a good chance," Kanoute said. "I'm most interested in the league, which is the hardest competition and the one which shows which team is best."

Madrid defenders Fabio Cannavaro and Sergio Ramos will mark Kanoute on Sunday.

"Anticipation is vital because it's no good sticking close to him. Kanoute masks the ball well and, as he's big, he often doesn't let you see the ball," said Cannavaro, Italy's World Cup-winning captain and FIFA's world player of the year.

David Beckham, who has made a sizable contribution to Madrid's most recent wins over Valencia and Athletic Bilbao, is expected to miss Sunday's game through suspension after picking up his 10th yellow card of the season in Bilbao last weekend.

Madrid has launched an appeal, saying the referee was wrong to caution the midfielder for time-wasting. If the club is unsuccessful, Beckham will be left with a maximum of five games before he leaves for the Los Angeles Galaxy in August.

Having scored only two goals in its past four matches, Barcelona has been eclipsed by Madrid and Sevilla in recent weeks.

Coach Frank Rijkaard's team will seek only its second away victory in 10 games when it visits Real Sociedad on Saturday.

"It's been difficult for us to win on the road, but we're really focused on our objective and we need to stay calm. All of us know the league is within reach," said Barcelona midfielder Edmilson, who is fit again after injuring his thigh two weeks ago.

Nineteenth-place Sociedad's recent revival was halted by last weekend's defeat at Getafe, increasing fears of losing its place in the top flight after forty years.

Valencia, which is six points off the lead in fourth place, cannot afford to drop points on Saturday when it hosts No. 11 Deportivo La Coruna if it is to challenge for the title.

Deportivo coach Joaquin Caparros refused to discount Valencia from the race.

"Of course it's a candidate," Caparros said. "It has a strong squad with experience and a lot of resources."

Other games this weekend are: Espanyol vs. Atletico Madrid; Real Betis vs. Getafe; Levante vs. Gimnastic Tarragona; Villarreal vs. Celta Vigo; Mallorca vs. Osasuna; Zaragoza vs. Racing Santander; and Recreativo Huelva vs. Athletic Bilbao.