Barcelona, Spain (My Sportsbook) - Third-place Valencia will travel to leaders Barcelona Sunday for a highly anticipated La Liga clash.

Valencia won 1-0 at Camp Nou last season, but this is a much different Barcelona team. Frank Rijkaard has led the club to 12 wins and just one loss in 15 matches. Its 38 points leaves Barca nine points clear of second-place Espanyol at the top of the table.

Valencia has won four straight La Liga matches, and only has injury concerns over Roberto Ayala and David Abelda. For Barcelona, Ludovic Giuly is out, so Andres Iniesta is expected to start once again. Iniesta scored in the 2-1 win at Albacete last weekend. Juliano Belletti is out, and Rafael Marquez is questionable. Brazilian superstar Ronaldinho is expected to play despite a left ankle injury.

Barcelona, which has scored 32 goals this season, will face a Valencia defense that has given up just 11 goals. Valencia, the defending UEFA Cup champions, has kept a clean sheet in its last five matches.

"It will not be easy to score against them because they are very well organized and they also have players that can create a lot of problems in attack too," said Rijkaard. "They have a system that employs a strong midfield and also have a lot of experienced players that will enjoy playing against us."

Real Madrid will be without superstar striker Ronaldo when it travels to Racing Santander Saturday. The Brazilian has a groin strain and also could miss the mid-week match against Sevilla.

"Normally he would be able to be back in action in two or three days," said Madrid team doctor Juan Carlos Hernandez. "But Ronaldo has a large muscle structure and it might not be advisable to force him because the injury might become more serious."

Either Englishman Michael Owen or Fernando Morientes will start in Ronaldo's place. Morientes has recently been linked with a move to Owen's former club, Liverpool.

Real Madrid has not won in its last four trips to Santander. However, Racing is winless in its last five games. Madrid's Michel Salgado is suspended for the match.

Arch-rivals will clash Sunday when Sevilla hosts Real Betis. Sevilla sits fifth, while Betis is sixth, but the standing mean little when these teams meet.

Marcos Assuncao is probable for Betis, but Washington Tais and Benjamin Zarandona are doubtful. Sevilla figures to rely on top-scorer Ricardo Oliveira, who has nine goals this season.

WEEKEND LA LIGA FIXTURES:

SATURDAY:

Levante - Albacete

Racing Santander - Real Madrid

SUNDAY:

Atletico Madrid - Deportivo

Barcelona - Valencia

Numancia - Espanyol

Real Mallorca - Osasuna

Real Sociedad - Getafe

Real Zaragoza - Athletic Bilbao

Sevilla - Real Betis

Villarreal - Malaga