Schuster returns to Getafe for difficult match

That's when the Real Madrid coach takes his team down the road to face Getafe, where he did so well from 2005 to 2007.

 The taciturn German will get a warm reception from the Getafe fans, for having being the most successful coach in the club's brief history.

 His team, however, will get a hostile reception - and face a very difficult match.

 On paper, Real should have few problems. They will go to Getafe as leaders - with 13 points from five games - if, as expected, they manage to beat Betis at home on Thursday.

 Getafe, in contrast, have made their poorest start since coming into the top flight in 2004. Michael Laudrup's team are second from bottom with just two points - and the Danish debutant is already in big trouble.

 On the other hand, though, Real have still to win a "Liga" match in the tiny Coliseo Alfonso Perez. Indeed, they have picked up just one measly point from their three visits.

 Last season they were beaten 1-0 in Getafe, then were held to a 1-1 draw by Schuster's tough team in the Bernabeu.

 "We are not playing well," said Getafe striker Manu del Moral after Wednesday's 2-1 defeat away to Valencia.

 "But we usually manage to raise our game against Madrid," he added, "and that's what we will have to do on Sunday."

   The other big games on Sunday are Villarreal at home to Athletic Bilbao and Valencia away to Recreativo Huelva.

 Villarreal and Valencia both have 12 points and are in fine form.

 Another team running into form is Atletico Madrid, who will be looking for their third consecutive win, at home to lively Osasuna.

 Sunday's other games are Almeria-Racing Santander, Valladolid-Murcia, Betis-Mallorca and Espanyol-Deportivo Coruna.

 The sixth round of matches kicks off on Saturday with two fascinating clashes: Zaragoza-Sevilla and Levante-Barcelona.

 Sevilla have lost their last three matches and coach Juande Ramos is feeling the heat for the first time since he took over in 2005.

 Zaragoza, however, are in no better shape, having been thrashed 4-1 on Wednesday by Barca.

 The Catalans should have few problems against bottom team Levante, whether Ronaldinho decides he is fit to return or not. In the absence of the Brazilian malcontent, Lionel Messi has scored four goals in two games.

 Levante - who have picked up just one point so far - gave coach Abel Resino the dreaded (and probably ominous) "vote of confidence" on Thursday.

DPA