The New Nation - Internet Edition

AP, Madrid

Real Madrid looks virtually certain to lift their second straight Spanish league title - and a record 31st overall - after going nine points clear with six matches remaining.

Madrid needs another 10 points to ensure its triumph, although the poor recent form of its closest challengers - FC Barcelona and Villarreal - suggests a lower tally will suffice for coach Bernd Schuster's team.

The perfect scenario for Madrid supporters would be seeing their team clinch the title in the match against archrival Barcelona at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium on May 7.

However, Madrid's central defender Pepe is impatient to complete the task before then.

"I want to win the league as soon as possible. I don't care if it's against Osasuna or Barcelona. I want to win it now," he said.

On Sunday, Madrid faces what looks like one of its hardest remaining games when it visits fifth-place Racing Santander, which is enjoying one of the best seasons in its 95-year history.

Madrid will again lack Netherlands striker Ruud van Nistelrooy and Germany defender Chrisoph Metzelder, both of whom are recovering from surgery. Midfielder Jose Maria "Guti" Gutierrez is suspended.

Madrid has 69 points from 32 games, while Barcelona has 60. Villarreal has 59.

Barcelona has won just one of its last seven league games, drawing the wrath of its supporters who blame club president Joan Laporta for the side's difficulties.

On Saturday, Barcelona hosts another team in trouble - eighth-place neighbor Espanyol, which has lost eight of its past 10 matches and hasn't scored in its last four.

Espanyol must stop Barcelona striker Samuel Eto'o, who has scored nine goals in the last eight games, to have a chance of gaining its first win at Camp Nou in 26 years.

Barcelona's Lionel Messi looks sure to start the game after returning from a six-week injury layoff during last Saturday's 2-2 draw at Recreativo Huelva. The Catalan powerhouse is hoping to get the Argentina international match-fit in time for the first leg of the Champions League semifinal against Manchester United on April 23.

The team's midfield could also be boosted by the return of Deco, who has spent nearly two months out of action with a thigh muscle tear.

Barcelona will again lack Ronaldinho, who is sidelined for the rest of the season and could reportedly be moving to AC Milan.

Villarreal will seek to return to winning ways when it entertains struggler Valladolid on Sunday.

Coach Manuel Pellegrini's team has taken one point from a possible six, likely ending its hopes of the first trophy in its 85-year history.

While Villarreal and Barcelona are favorites to join Madrid in next season's Champions League, Spain's fourth berth in Europe's top club competition appears to lie between three teams - Atletico Madrid, Santander and Sevilla.

Atletico has 54 points, one more than Santander. Sevilla follows with 51, while Almeria is six points further back.

On Saturday, Atletico hosts No. 13 Real Betis, while Sevilla entertains Almeria.

At the foot of the standings, Levante will be relegated on Sunday if it can't overcome Wednesday's beaten Copa del Rey finalist Getafe while Recreativo Huelva plays Zaragoza in a clash between two more relegation threatened sides.

Levante was hit on Wednesday by the loss of coach Gianni De Biasi, who rejoined Torino for his third spell in charge of the Serie A club. The Italian's replacement until the end of the season is Jose Angel Moreno, formerly technical director of the club's

youth teams.

Also in trouble are Valencia, Osasuna and Murcia. Osasuna has 40 points, Valencia and Valladolid 39, Recreativo 37, Zaragoza 34, Murcia 29 and Levante 22.

Valencia will be desperate to continue the momentum of its Copa del Rey triumph over Getafe when it visits No. 10 Athletic Bilbao on Sunday.

However, coach Ronald Koeman remains in the firing line and a further setback at San Mames stadium, where Valencia has lost 44 times in 72 visits, could be the last straw for the club's hard-pressed new president Agustin Morera.

Osasuna welcomes ninth-place Deportivo La Coruna, and Murcia hosts No. 11 Mallorca.