Real, Valencia look for knockout blow at Bernabeu

MADRID, Apr 19 (Reuters) Primera Liga heavyweights Real Madrid and Valencia meet at the Bernabeu on Saturday knowing a win would be a major psychological blow in the title race.

Third-placed Real have 54 points, one ahead of Valencia who are fourth with eight games left, but they need to bounce back from Saturday's painful 2-1 defeat at Racing Santander.

Valencia enter the game in high spirits having swept aside second-placed Sevilla 2-0 at home last Sunday.

Their inconsistencies can be blamed in part on a Champions League campaign where they proved they have a squad to compete at the highest levels.

Valencia have managed just two points from their last five away games and have not strung together back-to-back league wins since mid-January.

''First we need to focus on securing a Champions League place and then, depending on what the teams above us are doing, we can worry about the title,'' said Valencia defender Miguel.

Clashes between the teams have a history of controversy that will make life difficult for the match officials, particularly after a week dominated by debate over the integrity of referees.

Real's sports director Predrag Mijatovic and Valencia coach Quique Sanchez Flores are to be investigated for criticisms of recent refereeing decisions against their sides.

Real's defeat to Racing, courtesy of two late penalties, was their first in nine league outings.

OUTSTANDING GOALS Leaders Barcelona, who have 59 points, were thankful for a late own-goal to beat Real Mallorca 1-0 at home last weekend but doubts about their ability to complete a league and cup double were dispelled on Wednesday.

Without Ronaldinho, who was rested, Frank Rijkaard's side crafted goals of outstanding quality to thump Getafe 5-2 in their King's Cup semi-final first leg.

The Brazilian forward has returned to training and should be available for the trip to Villarreal on Sunday when Barca need to improve on a record of one win in nine away games.

Sevilla have 55 points and are showing signs of strain as they are the only Spanish team still competing on three fronts.

They are in the UEFA Cup and King's Cup semi-finals.

The Andalucians host relegation-battlers Athletic Bilbao on Sunday.

Real Zaragoza and Atletico Madrid are tied on 50 points, in fifth and sixth place respectively, and will have to see if their resolve to get into the Champions League places is stronger than their opponents' desire to avoid relegation.

Zaragoza host Hristo Stoichkov's Celta Vigo on Sunday after the Bulgarian led the 17th-placed side to a victory in his first game in charge last weekend.

On Saturday, Atletico visit second-bottom Real Sociedad who earned their first away win of the season last time out.

REUTERS SAM VV1443