Barca in Real's way

Barcelona and Real Madrid stars united to help Spain win the European championships this summer but club allegiances now come first as Xavi, Sergio Ramos, Andres Iniesta, Carles Puyol and Iker Casillas gear up for this season's title duel.
After back-to-back titles Real are targeting a third successive league crown for the first time since 1988 but old foes Barcelona have recruited a new manager and fresh faces in a desperate bid to prevent the hat-trick.
Barcelona were the last side to achieve that feat -- winning four championships in a row between 1990 and 1994 -- and new manager Pep Guardiola was part of three of those title successes.
Guardiola has no top-flight managerial experience having just worked with the Barca B team but Barca have loosened the purse strings with 59 million euros shelled out for Alexander Hleb and Sevilla duo Daniel Alves and Seydou Keita.
With Puyol marshalling the defence and a creative midfield of Iniesta and Xavi, voted best player at the Euro 2008, Barca look strong particularly when you see their frontline of Samuel Eto'o, Thierry Henry and the mesmerising Lionel Messi.
Messi was on duty with Argentina at the Olympics so should be sharp for the season's opener at promoted Numancia on Sunday.
Real hoped Portuguese wing wizard Ronaldo would be their answer to Messi but Manchester United refused to play ball and midfielder Rafael van der Vaart is their only major signing from SV Hamburg for 13 million euros.
Van der Vaart can expect to start as compatriot Wesley Sneijder is out for three months with knee ligament damage.
It is difficult to look past Real and Barca for the title but Villarreal could be considered a dark horse after they claimed the runner-up spot last season - the highest finish in the club's history.
FIXTURES
Saturday
Espayol v Valladolid 1900 GMT, Valencia v Real Mallorca 2100 GMT
Sunday - all 1800 GMT unless stated
Athletic Bilbao v Almeria, Atletico Madrid v Malaga, Real Betis v Recreativo, Sporting Gijon v Getafe, Racing v Sevilla, Numancia v Barcelona, Osasuna v Villarreal, Deportivo La Coruna v Real Madrid 2000 GMT