Madrid - Anything less than a handsome defeat of lowly Recreativo Huelva on Saturday will spell the sack for embattled Real Madrid coach Bernd Schuster. Despite a string of poor results the German coach was given a reprieve on Monday by club president Ramon Calderon and sporting director Pedja Mijatovic.
Calderon said that "the ideal thing would be to finish the season with the same coach that begun it" - but also hinted that his patience with Schuster would not be unlimited.
Once again, Schuster will have to improvise a makeshift team out of an injury-plagued squad. He will be without Miguel Torres, Pepe, Mahamadou Diarra, Ruben de la Red, Arjen Robben and Ruud Van Nistelrooy.
In addition, Gabriel Heinze is suspended after being sent off for dissent in last Saturday's 1-0 defeat in Valladolid.
Real are joint third with Valencia and Sevilla on 23 points, two points behind Villarreal and five behind leaders Barcelona.
Huelva, in contrast, are second from bottom with just seven points.
At the same time as the Real-Huelva clash, Villarreal will be at home to Valladolid.
Leading the Villarreal attack will be the in-form Santi Cazorla, who scored a classy goal in Spain's 3-0 thrashing of Chile on Wednesday, played in Villarreal.
Later on Sunday, Sevilla are at home to a Valencia side that has stumbled in recent weeks, leaking goals alarmingly.
But Valencia often seem more comfortable away than in Mestalla, and will be trying to hit Sevilla on the break through David Villa, Juan Mata, Joaquin and Vicente.
The big game on Sunday sees Barcelona at home to Getafe. Barca have scored 21 goals in their first five home games, most of which being effectively over by half-time.
Star strikers Lionel Messi and Samuel Eto'o will be raring to go, after missing this week's international matches for Argentina and Cameroon.
"We will have to be very sharp in defence," said Getafe coach Victor Munoz on Wednesday.
Atletico Madrid, meanwhile, will be away to Numancia, whilst Espanyol travel to Malaga and Betis go to Gijon. Mallorca will be at home to Malaga, whilst Deportivo Coruna take on Athletic Bilbao and bottom team Osasuna face Almeria.
