The Madrid derby takes centre stage this weekend as big-spending Real look to keep the up pressure on Primera Division leaders Barcelona and struggling hosts Atletico attempt to climb out of the relegation zone.

Neither club has enjoyed the best of fortune recently, but both will have been buoyed by their performances in the Champions League this week - even though neither managed to win.

Atletico, having taken just one point from their opening three Group D games and not even managed to score a goal, showed heart and determination to hold Chelsea to a 2-2 draw at the Vicente Calderon, while Real impressed against AC Milan in a 1-1 draw at the San Siro.

That came exactly a week after Real were humiliated 4-0 by minnows Alcorcon in the Copa del Rey, but the performance in Italy, combined with last Saturday's impressive 2-0 derby victory over Getafe when Real played for almost an hour with a man less following Raul Albiol's sending-off, has boosted confidence at the club and eased the pressure on coach Manuel Pellegrini following three defeats in six games.

"It's good that we've showed in the last two games that we wanted to redeem ourselves after the awful week that we had. This is the path we need to be on. There are still things to work on, but this team has the ability and players to do it," said striker Gonzalo Higuain, who netted both of his sides goals against Getafe and also struck a 90th-minute penalty winner in last season's 2-1 win over Atletico at the Vicente Calderon.

"Atletico are not going through one of their best moments and it's important to take advantage because we are point away from the leaders and it's very important to obtain the win. We have to make the most of the fact they are not at their best," added the Argentinian in AS.

Atletico, who have not beaten Real at home in the league since the 1998/99 season, will want to forget the opening months of the current campaign and, despite their creditable draw with Chelsea, they now have no chance of getting through to the last 16 of the Champions League.

It is domestic matters that will be concerning new coach Quique Sanchez Flores at present, though, with last weekend's 1-0 defeat at Athletic Bilbao dropping the Rojiblancos down to 18th place, 15 points behind Real with only nine games gone.

Despite that, Sanchez Flores has set his side a high target for the coming weeks, saying: "We have to be in the top seven by the Christmas break."

Atletico's chances of a rare success over their bitter rivals this weekend have been boosted by the news that Cristiano Ronaldo will not be available for the match.

In fact, reports in Spain suggest Real will have to do without the world's most expensive player for another month because of his persistent ankle injury, and possibly for up to three months if he needs to undergo surgery.

The Madrid derby is one of four matches taking place on Saturday night, with reigning champions Barcelona likely to be happy to be back in familiar surroundings when they host surprise package Real Mallorca, who are fifth.

Pep Guardiola's side have drawn three of their last four away matches in all competitions - their only win coming against third division Cultural Leonesa in the cup - but in their previous home match at the Nou Camp they trounced Real Zaragoza 6-1.

Also on Saturday, Tenerife play host to bottom club Malaga and high-flying Deportivo La Coruna go to inconsistent Getafe.

The remaining six games are on Sunday, with the pick of the bunch being the late encounter between Sevilla and Villarreal.

Villarreal started the season badly but have moved out of the bottom three with back-to-back victories over Malaga and Tenerife, whom they thrashed 5-0 last weekend to record their biggest league win since 2003.

Elsewhere, Valencia's David Villa faces his old club Real Zaragoza, second-bottom Xerez are at Real Valladolid, Sporting Gijon host Espanyol, Athletic Bilbao go to Racing Santander, and Almeria meet Osasuna.