"Real" and "Barcelona" leaders in the Spanish championship in a close race" © EuroFootball.com

Coaches of Real Madrid and Barcelona will allow several key players to rest over the weekend.

The coach of the capital team will play against "Real Sociedad" without forward Cristiano Ronaldo. Also missing will be Xabi Alonso, Lassana Diarra, and Raul Albiol, whose help is expected in the upcoming Champions League semi-final match against the same Barcelona next week.

Meanwhile, Barcelona's coach Pep Guardiola did not include defender Carles Puyol and midfielder Andres Iniesta in the lineup. The latter is still injured.