Weekend tragedy to cast shadow over matchday 14 in Spain

Madrid, Dec 4 The death of a Deportivo la Coruna football fan last Sunday cast a shadow over match-day 14 in the Spanish BBVA Primera La Liga.

Both football and civil authorities are looking for a solution to the problem of violence in the game between Deportivo la Coruna and Atletico Madrid, reports Xinhua.

Meanwhile, the football will continue and Atletico will very much be under the spotlight as they play the first match of the weekend as Diego Simeone's side travel to face relegation-threatened Elche.

Expect a high level of security in and around Elche's Martin Valero Stadium with attention focused on whether or not Atletico's group of ultras, Frente Atletico, who have been banned by the club in the wake of Sunday's death attempt to put in an appearance.

That game is followed by an evening kickoff in Bilbao, as Athletic Club look to continue their two-month domestic unbeaten run at home to Cordoba, who have yet to win a game.

Athletico will be without defenders, Mikel Balenziaga through suspension, while Carlos Gurpegui and Xabi Extieta are both injured.

Real Madrid have the chance to extend their winning run to 18 games when they entertain Celta Vigo. The wheels have come of Celta's excellent start to the season in recent weeks, but they still pose a potent threat on the break.

Whether that will be enough to trouble a Real Madrid side packed with confidence and goals remains to be seen and with Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Gareth Bale finding the net with ease, it is hard to imagine anything other than a home win.

Saturday ends with Deportivo at home to Malaga is a replay of Wednesday's Copa del Rey clash between the two sides, which ended in a 1-1 draw.

Sunday kicks off with what should be an exciting game between Rayo Vallecano, who can be relied on to go all out for the win, at home to Sevilla, who have recovered from a mini-slump by scoring 10 goals in a week.

That should serve perfectly as an appetizer for the main course of the day at the Camp Nou Stadium for the Barcelona city derby between FC Barcelona and local rivals Espanyol.

Barca should be clear favourites to win, especially given Espanyol's dreadful form away from their Cornella El Prat Stadium.

That is followed by a game between a slick Villarreal and David Moyes' improving Real Sociedad, before Valencia visit a struggling Granada.

Finally there are two matches played Monday, with this season's surprise package, Eibar at home to Almeria and Levante entertaining Getafe.