Real Madrid currently lie eighth with nine points, thanks to a trio of 1-0 wins, two of them coming thanks to goals from David Beckham free kicks, but the 29-times Spanish champions hope to turn the corner against a struggling Deportivo La Coruna on Sunday.

"I'm convinced we can maintain this positive streak," said Real captain Raul Gonzalez, the author of two goals in the 4-2 win over Roma.

Raul was back to his old self on Tuesday, reviving memories of when he used to score with abandon. He has found the net 166 times in his 11 year career in the Spanish first division but has not scored a single goal since March.

Two teams with fewer concerns are league leaders Valencia and second-placed Barcelona, who coincedently finished last season in the same order.

The pair are unbeaten on 13 points and three points clear of five teams grouped together on 10 points, led by early surprise package Espanyol.

Valencia have pole position on the basis of having scored more goals, and nobody in the Spanish first division has scored more than their 14, with many pundits expecting them to add to their numbers at Real Betis on Saturday.

Barcelona are poised to take advantage if Valencia slip up in Seville, with an apparently easy home fixture against newly-promoted Numancia, who have never beaten Barca on the previous occasions they have been in the top flight of Spanish football.

Fixtures
Saturday (kick off GMT): Real Betis v Valencia (1800), Real Sociedad v Atletico Madrid (2000)
Sunday: Albacete v Espanyol (1500), Getafe v Athletic Bilbao (1500), Levante v Real Mallorca (1500), Malaga v Osasuna (1500), Racing Santander v Sevilla (1500), Villarreal v Real Zaragoza (1500), Barcelona v Numancia (1700), Real Madrid v Deportivo La Coruna (1900)