MADRID (AFP) - Barcelona, who reignited their title hopes by cutting Real Madrid's lead to six points last weekend, face a stern test on Saturday with a daunting trip to Sevilla.

Sevilla have won eight of their 11 home matches this season, including a 2-0 win over Real, and Barca will have to be at their best as they bid to chop Real's advantage even further with the champions facing Valladolid on Sunday.

"Catching Real is possible but we have believed that all along," said Barcelona defender Gaby Milito.

"We never for one moment doubted that it wasn't possible. There is enough time to catch up but we shouldn't think about it all the time."

Barca need to find a way of stopping Sevilla's Brazilian striker Luis Fabiano who has scored 16 goals to top the scoring charts.

Fabiano has warned Sevilla, who applied for the Intertoto Cup this week, that he could leave if they fail to qualify for Europe and the UEFA Cup holders need the points to improve their current position of seventh.

There should be no lack of motivation for Sevilla who are also out to avenge their Kings Cup elimination by Barca last month.

"We want to be up near the top and to do that you have to beat Barca," said Sevilla coach Manolo Jimenez.

"We know have a real game on our hands but we need the points to be where we want to be."

Sevilla have been boosted by the news that Brazilian right back Daniel Alves can play after having a suspension lifted following an appeal.

Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard must decide on whether to bring Ronaldinho back into the starting line-up as he bids to solve a goalscoring problem.

"He needs to put in the work to become a great Barca player again," said Rijkaard. "When he gets back he is one of the best in the world."

Real's surprise 2-0 defeat to Almeria last weekend has taken some wind out of their sails but coach Bernd Schuster is not overly concerned as long as his team heed the warning.

"It is just a blip but we can not go to sleep," explained Schuster. "We have to use this to be more careful from now on."

Real host Valladolid and everything points to a home win with the league leaders collecting an incredible 53 points from the last 57 at home and not dropping a single point at the Santiago Bernabeu this season.

Atletico Madrid travel to Racing Santander in another standout game on Sunday with both teams tussling for a Champions League berth.

Fifth-placed Atletico have picked up just one point from nine to fall out of the top four and the board, who invested 80 million euros in the summer, chose to give coach Javier Aguirre the dreaded vote of confidence.

Atletico will be without top-scorer Kun Aguero due to an ankle problem and Uruguayan forward Diego Forlan is hoping to end a lean spell in front of goal.

"I know the goals will come and I am not worried," said the former Manchester United man. "It has happened to me before and I have come through it and I am sure I will again."

Racing are four points behind Atletico and have seen their preparations disrupted by talk of Barcelona striking a 14 million euro deal for their star Argentine defender Ezequiel Garay.

Espanyol sneaked into third spot last weekend and will hope to stay there when they host second-from-bottom Recreativo Huelva.

Recreativo recently sacked their coach Victor Munoz and former reserve team coach Manolo Zambrano has the task of keeping the team in the top-flight.

Fixtures

Saturday

Murcia v Villarreal, Deportivo La Coruna v Getafe (both 1900 GMT), Sevilla v Barcelona (2100 GMT)

Sunday

Osasuna v Real Zaragoza, Athletic Bilbao v Levante, Real Mallorca v Almeria, Espanyol v Recreativo, Racing Santander v Atletico Madrid (all 1600 GMT), Real Madrid v Valladolid (1800 GMT), Valencia v Real Betis (2000 GMT)