Atletico Madrid, Villarreal match-up

Atletico Madrid host Villarreal at the Vicente Calderon on Sunday in a match-up between two sides recovering from horrid starts.

Both these sides harboured top four aspirations in pre-season but Atletico had their worst league start in 56 years while Villarreal had their worst start in the club’s history.

“Both teams are in a similar situation and we have the squads to be much higher in the table,” said Villarreal’s Diego Godin.

Villarreal are two points better off than Atletico, down in 13th place, and neither side can afford many more slip-ups or risk missing out on Europe altogether.

After surrendering third to Valencia, Sevilla travel to Sporting Gijon looking to resurrect their title charge.

Sevilla have drawn their last two home matches to fall nine points behind Barcelona although they have a game in hand.

Elsewhere high-flying Real Mallorca go in search of their first away win of the season at Osasuna on Sunday.

Mallorca have won all seven of their home matches to climb to sixth but remarkably have yet to win on their travels.

Fixtures

Sunday – all 1600 GMT unless stated

Valladolid v Malaga, Getafe v Tenerife, Racing Santander v Xerez, Almeria v Deportivo La Coruna, Osasuna v Real Mallorca, Atletico Madrid v Villarreal (1800 GMT), Sporting Gijon v Sevilla (2000 GMT)