A familiar banana skin threatens Barca's season

Barcelona are confident they can overcome their bogey team Atletico Madrid away tomorrow, and return to the top of the Primera Liga with a little help from the rest of the league.

Frank Rijkaard's side lost their leadership of the table after drawing 1-1 at home to Real Betis last weekend, allowing arch-rivals Real Madrid, who beat Espanyol 4-3, to go level on 66 points but top due to their better head-to-head record.

With four games left, Barca's last chance for silverware this season is now out of their own hands. On paper they have an easier run-in than Real though, if they can come away from the Calderon unscathed.

Recent history suggests that will be no mean feat. Atletico and their leading scorer Fernando Torres have proven slippery rivals of late.

The Catalans have lost three and drawn two of their last five games against them, from which Torres has pillaged six goals. Also, Barca have only won twice in their last 11 away games.

"It will be difficult. Atletico have always had good games against us and they have a lot to play for," said Barca goalkeeper Victor Valdes.

Atletico fans have split feelings over the game. A win would put them a step closer to a UEFA Cup place as they lie sixth in the standings with 54 points.

But it would surely sink Barca's chances of securing a third successive league title, and leave their city rivals Real in the driving seat.

Real visit Recreativo Huelva looking to avenge an embarrassing 3-0 defeat in the Bernabeu before the mid-season break.

But they have the best away record in the league so far, and have won seven of their last eight matches.

Sevilla are only two points off the pace in third place and had to endure extra-time and penalties to secure their second consecutive UEFA Cup against Espanyol on Wednesday.

But they have shown a remarkable ability to maintain their push on three fronts - they also have a place in the King's Cup final - and visit mid-table Deportivo tomorrow still very much in the hunt.

Title outsiders Valencia, fourth with 62 points, travel to face Real Mallorca today.

A defeat for bottom club Gimnastic Tarragona away to Real Betis today will mean they are relegated.