Sevilla, Barcelona and Real Madrid, the top three teams in Spain, all face difficult away trips as the Spanish first division resumes this weekend following the two-week holiday break.
League leaders Sevilla travel to fifth-place Real Zaragoza today hoping to do as well as they did 12 months ago when they won 2-0.
"Sevilla have demonstrated over the last year that we can win anywhere. So our task is now easy, we just have to win every game," joked Sevilla striker Fredi Kanoute.
PHOTO: AP
"But this side now has faith in its ability and we know what we are capable of," added the international from Mali, who is the Spanish first division's leading scorer with 14 goals so far this season.
"Winning in Zaragoza could give us an important advantage and would certainly give us plenty of confidence," he said.
The big worry for Sevilla coach Juande Ramos is over the fitness of first-choice goalkeeper Andres Palop, who limped out of training on Thursday with a sore left knee.
PHOTO: AP
In his place, former Real Madrid reserve David Cobeno could start his first game.
Sevilla, who have won their last five league games, are seeking their first La Liga crown since 1946, the only occasion they have won the league title.
Reigning champions Barcelona face Getafe tomorrow and will be well aware that the hosts have only lost once in their intimidating Coliseum stadium this season, with their victims including Real Madrid.
"It's a great start to the year and against Barca we will be out to play as well as we did against Madrid," Getafe goalkeeper Roberto Abbondanzieri said.
"We will not be looking just to salvage a point. We know we can beat them," the Argentine international said.
Real Madrid go north to Deportivo La Coruna tomorrow. Real has not won away at the Galician club for 14 years.
Training routines this week suggest that Real coach Fabio Capello will turn to his new acquisition, 20-year-old midfielder Fernando Gago.
"Playing for Real Madrid is the dream of every footballer. I'm still getting used to my new teammates and their rhythm, but they are helping me a lot," Gago said.
"But I am not a saviour. There's nobody to save. I'm relaxed and don't feel any pressure," he said.
The position of former England captain David Beckham is less certain, especially with the recovery from a slight right calf strain of Jose Antonio Reyes.
Beckham could well be back on the bench, where he has spent the majority of his 12 league games this season, as speculation continues to mount over whether he will be moving from the Spanish giants in the summer.
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