Dec 2, 2006, 9:08 GMT
Barcelona, Spain - When Barcelona takes the pitch on Saturday for its La Liga contest at Levante, Ronaldinho, one of the best players in the world, will not be in its lineup.
Not because of injury, however, but because the team is resting him for its big UEFA Champions League contest against Werder Bremen next week.
Barca is the leader in La Liga and will look to stay ahead of FC Sevilla, who is right on its heels, just one point back.
With the absence of Ronaldinho on Saturday, Barca will switch from its usual 4-3-3 to a 4-4-2 alignment.
Up front, the Spanish power is still limping with Samuel Eto'o, Lionel Messi and Javier Saviola still out.
Ludovic Giuly and Eidur Gudjohnsen will be the go-to-guys up top.
Barcelona has lost just once all season - away to their bitter rivals Real Madrid in October - and will look to keep it that way this weekend. On the other hand, Levante sits in 15th place, just five points above the relegation zone. Levante has lost three of its six home games this season.
In other La Liga action on Saturday, Recreativo Huelva and Valencia will face each other and Real Betis and Atletico will square off.
On Sunday, Deportivo La Coruna hosts Racing, second-placed Sevilla travels to Espanyol, Mallorca hosts Celta Vigo, Real Sociedad hosts Getafe, Villarreal and Tarragona square off, Real Madrid hosts Athletic Bilbao and Real Zaragoza and Osasuna meet.
WEEKEND SPANISH LA LIGA FIXTURES
SATURDAY
Levante - Barcelona
Recreativo - Valencia
Real Betis - Atletico Madrid
SUNDAY
Deportivo La Corona - Racing Santander
Espanyol - FC Sevilla
Mallorca - Celta Vigo
Real Sociedad - Getafe
Villarreal - Gimnastic de Tarragona
Real Madrid - Athletic Bilbao
Real Zaragoza - Osasuna
© 2006 The Sports Network
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