Relegation rivals prepare for six-pointer

D. Alavés – At Osasuna (6 pm, Mendizorroza)
Two points separate the sides in a classic match-up in Spanish football. The Vitoria-based outfit are suffering from inconsistent form and haven't put together two consecutive wins so far this season. Osasuna, who were unable to play their fixture on the most recent matchday, have come away with something from their past six games. Alavés coach Alberto López stressed that it is a special encounter: "We have to go into it with a positive mentality, it's a match to look forward to and enjoy." 

R. Zaragoza – FC Barcelona B (6 pm, La Romareda)
Zaragoza, who have won their past two league matches, now take on the men from FC Barcelona's youth set-up. The Catalans, who comprehensively beat CE Sabadell on the previous matchday, currently sit two points off the relegation places and will fight to make it two victories in a row and move away from the drop zone. Pol Calvet, Joan Campins, David Babunski, Diawandou Diagne and Lucas Gafarot have been left out and will not travel, while Maxi Rolón also misses out because he is on Argentina Under-20 duty. Meanwhile, Zaragoza will be without Rubén González and Álvaro Tierno.

R Racing Club – R Valladolid CF (6:15 pm, El Sardinero)
After winning on the last matchday, Racing are in action in front of their home fans this weekend – and will look to clinch another victory as they try to put distance between themselves and the lower reaches of the table. Meanwhile, Valladolid sit in the play-off places and will be all out for the three points to stay amongst the leading pack. Discussing the potential adverse weather in store, the visitors’ coach was in no mood for excuses: "We have to adapt to that, be intelligent and play depending on what we come up against; we can’t make the mistakes we’ve already made on other occasions."

UE Llagostera – RC Recreativo (8 pm, Nou Municipal de Palamós)
There is one point between Llagostera and Recreativo, who sit 20th and 21st in the table respectively. This will be a crucial match-up for the two teams as they battle to escape the relegation places. Recreativo boss José Luis Oltra described the duel as "the most important of the season" and declared that his side will be treating the clash "like a cup final". The coach of the Catalan outfit, Lluís Carrillo, said: "We're in a very tricky situation. We have to beat Recreativo de Huelva to get ourselves on the right track and get out of the relegation zone." 

AD Alcorcón – CD Mirandés (9 pm, Santo Domingo)
Saturday comes to a close with a match that sees the Madrid side host the men from Miranda de Ebro. Tenth-place Alcorcón have not tasted victory in seven matchdays and will attempt to end the run against a Mirandés who are eighth in the division and haven’t won in three. Alcorcón coach José Bordalás underlined that his team are raring for the encounter to arrive: "We want to, and have to, change the run we're on and our situation. We need to win as soon as possible and we’re going to do everything in our power to do that tomorrow."