Madrid, March 5 -- Real Madrid faces a must-win match on Friday night, while Athletic Club hosts FC Barcelona in a meeting between two beaten Copa del Rey semifinalists and Atletico Madrid welcomes Real Sociedad in a preview of next month's cup final as Matchday 27 ofLa Liga unfolds this weekend.
Real Madrid's home defeat to Getafe on Monday set alarm bells ringing at the club, which has slipped four points behind Barcelona in the title race.
The result also raised questions about the long-term future of coach Alvaro Arbeloa ahead of next week's Champions League last-16 tie at home to Manchester City, with the outcome likely to influence whether he remains in charge at the end of the season, according to Xinhua.
Madrid travels to face si...