MADRID, May 8 (Reuters) - Real Zaragoza need to derail a
rampant Real Madrid on Sunday if they are to avoid a
nail-biting relegation scrap in their last game of the Primera
Liga season next weekend.
Manolo Villanova's side are just above the bottom three
with 41 points, ahead of Recreativo Huelva and Osasuna
respectively, who are tied on 40.
It is a far cry from last August when Zaragoza were widely
tipped as contenders for a Champions League place, and even
outsiders for the title, following their sixth-placed finish in
the 2006/7 season.
After a disappointing campaign that has seen three coaches
depart the club, Zaragoza failed to beat another direct rival
for the drop Valencia on Wednesday, going down 1-0 at the
Mestalla.
They remain 16th as Recre and Osasuna lost as well, and
look set to fight it out with both to avoid the last relegation
place. Levante and Real Murcia are already condemned to second
division football.
'Despite the defeat we have to see the bottle as half full.
We are capable of beating Real and if we do, it will be a huge
step towards saving ourselves. I think we'll be safe with 45
points,' Villanova said.
Zaragoza famously beat Real 3-2 in the King's Cup final in
2004, and knocked them out of the same competition at the
semi-final stage in 2006 helped by a stunning 6-1 home leg
victory.
On Sunday, however, they meet a Real side already crowned
champions, who have won five in a row and who hammered
Barcelona 4-1 during the week.
Recre visit Almeria for an Andalucian derby, and Osasuna
host already-relegated Murcia.
With Real and Villarreal guaranteed first and second
places, Barcelona need to pick themselves up to make sure of
third with a win at home to Real Mallorca.
The islanders are seventh with 53 points and have a chance
of claiming one of the two UEFA Cup spots for next season.
Fourth-placed Atletico Madrid lead the race for the last
Champions League berth on 58 points, and can put clear water
between themselves and Sevilla with a win at Espanyol on
Thursday.
Atletico host form-team Deportivo Coruna on Sunday. Depor,
eighth with 52 points, have an outside shot at a UEFA Cup
place.
Sevilla (58) thumped Racing Santander 3-0 away on Wednesday
to overtake them in fifth place and face a short trip across
the city to arch-rivals Real Betis.
'Although they don't have much to play for they are not
going to gift us anything because of the rivalry. The history
is always there,' Sevilla coach Manolo Jimenez said.
Racing (56), who have lost three of their last four games,
visit north-coast rivals Athletic Bilbao.
