Recre out to test Barcelona's shaky defence

MADRID, Mar 15 (Reuters) Recreativo Huelva are hoping Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard continues to experiment with his three-man defence when the leaders travel south for Saturday's Primera Liga clash.

The league's surprise package won promotion from the second division last season, and are only nine points behind the champions in seventh place.

Recre have beaten Real Madrid, Valencia and Atletico Madrid, among others, with a combination of neat possession football and lightning quick breaks.

French leading scorer Florent Sinama Pongolle, on loan from Liverpool, and Nigerian Ikechukwu Uche have terrorised defences with their pace, the latter forcing two penalties inside the opening 15 minutes in their last home game against Atletico.

Rijkaard's switch to a 3-4-3 formation from his preferred 4-3-3 earned Barca a King's Cup semi-final place at the expense of Real Zaragoza but looked distinctly shaky against Liverpool, as they exited the Champions League, and Real Madrid.

Last weekend's thrilling 3-3 Primera Liga home draw with arch-rivals Real had former coach Johan Cruyff up in arms describing Rijkaard's tactics as ''chaotic''. Barca's defence has looked particularly vulnerable to the counter-attack.

''I saw Barca's game against Liverpool where they (Liverpool) pressured them all over the pitch and it worked. Real did the same last weekend and if we play the same way we can win,'' said Sinama Pongolle.

''If they play with three defenders again it will be easier for us.'' Barca have not won away in seven league matches and will be without suspended defender Olegeur.

REAL OPTIMISIM The chasing pack of Sevilla, Valencia and Real Madrid continue to put on Jekyll and Hyde performances that prevent them from taking control of the table.

Sevilla are level on points with Barca having lost 1-0 at relegation-threatened Gimnastic last weekend and host another struggling side, away-day specialists Celta Vigo, on Sunday.

Third-placed Valencia are three points behind the top two and host Racing Santander at the Mestalla on Saturday. They scraped a 1-1 draw last weekend, while Racing have only lost once in nine outings.

Valencia will be without suspended Argentine defender Roberto Ayala.

An air of optimism surrounds fourth-placed Real Madrid, who are five points off top spot and believe they can mount a serious title challenge after scoring three times at the Nou Camp.

But their home form -- one win in their last five -- has left much to be desired, and second-bottom Gimnastic come into the game after consecutive wins.

Nastic's top scorer Javier Portillo, on loan from Real, is barred from playing by the terms of his contract while Real defender Sergio Ramos is suspended.

On Sunday, the outsiders for a top four finish meet when fifth-placed Real Zaragoza host Atletico, who are sixth. Both clubs are just two points behind Real Madrid.

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