Real Madrid have an eight-point lead over second-placed Barcelona with 11 games left in the season but cannot afford to ease off, Dutch midfielder Wesley Sneijder has warned.

"We have been knocked out of the King's Cup and the Champions League so we have to fight hard to be champions, and need to treat each game like a final now," he said.

Real travel to face Deportivo on Saturday with Sneijder likely to start, and Italy defender Fabio Cannavaro back from injury. Striker Ruud van Nistelrooy is a doubt, while defender Sergio Ramos is suspended.

Barcelona visit Almeria on Sunday without injured Argentina forward Lionel Messi and Portugal midfielder Deco. Italy full back Gianluca Zambrotta is suspended.

Frank Rijkaard also has doubts over Rafael Marquez, Yaya Toure and Giovani dos Santos. Ronaldinho missed training on Thursday, while Silvinho and Gabriel Milito failed to complete the session with different complaints.

Real Zaragoza's new coach Manolo Villanova secured a 2-1 win over Atletico Madrid in his first game at the helm last weekend, and leads the side to third-placed Villarreal on Sunday - in search of only their second away win of the season.

Atletico's Greece right back Yourkas Seitaridis looks set to return to action after four months out with injury, when bottom club Levante visit the Calderon on Sunday.

Striker Fernando Morientes and defender Carlos Marchena return to the Valencia squad for Saturday's match at the Mestalla against Sevilla. Argentine midfielder Ever Banega and winger Vicente are injured.

Espanyol are deprived of Cameroon goalkeeper Carlos Kameni and Spain striker Raul Tamudo through suspension for Sunday's home game against Real Mallorca.

Getafe midfielder Esteban Granero and Nigeria striker Ikechukwu Uche are close to returning from injury for the visit of Racing Santander on Sunday, but could be rested for the King's Cup semi-final, second leg between the sides four days later in the Sardinero.

Reuters / Eurosport