MADRID, Jan. 9 (Xinhua) -- Primera Liga leaders FC Barcelona and second placed Real Madrid both face difficult matches this Sunday as the duo continues it battle at the top of the table.

    Barcelona aims to secure its first win of 2009 away to Tenerife. Pep Guardiola's team has struggled in the New Year, drawing at home to Villarreal in the league and suffering a shock defeat against Sevilla on Tuesday night in the Kings Cup.

    Zlatan Ibrahimovich is suspended for the trip to the Canary Islands, but Guardiola will return players such as Xavi Hernandez and Carlos Puyol to his starting 11.

    Real Madrid meanwhile entertains this season's surprise team Mallorca. Mallorca is currently fourth as a result of the team's magnificent form in its ONO Stadium, where Gregorio Manzano's team has won eight consecutive matches.

    Mallorca is less convincing away from home, but has a good recent record in the Santiago Bernabeu, winning five times in the last 10 years.

    Real Madrid will play with Kaka, Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema in its side, but has defensive problems with both Lassana Diarra and Sergio Ramos suspended.

    Sunday sees a further seven matches. Sporting Gijon looks to end a run of seven matches without a win when Getafe visits the ElMolinon Stadium.

    Getafe is currently seventh in the table following its 1-0 win against Valladolid last Sunday.

    Malaga may be third from bottom in the table, but Juan Muniz's side has only one defeat in its last seven matches. Now Malaga looks to turn draws into wins at home to Athletic Club.

    Athletic meanwhile aims to return to form after losing its first game of 2010 away to Mallorca and the Basque's will look to exploit any tired legs after Malaga played Getafe in the Cup on Thursday night.

    Third placed Valencia can expect all three points from the trip to play bottom of the table Xerez, while Zaragoza visits Espanyol in a relegation battle.

    Zaragoza will hope to have new signing Eliseu in the side as Jose Aurelio Gay seeks his first win ass coach.

    Finally Deportivo La Coruna can return to the top four if results in other games go their way and they can beat Osasuna.

    Miguel Angel Lotina's men have drawn their last two matches 0-0and will be without injured striker Riki for the match. He will be replaced by Pablo Alvarez, while former Deportivo striker Walter Pandiani will lead the attack for the visitors.