LA LIGA: Valencia's hopes of keeping up Real Madrid's heady title pace rest on claiming victory from a tricky derby game at home to Villarreal (8 p.m.) tomorrow.
Valencia, league champions in 2002, managed to stay within two points of Real in second spot going into the short festive break with a nervy 1-0 win at home to Sevilla in their last league game in December.
Real are at home to relegation candidates Murcia today and it will be a major surprise if they have not stretched that lead to five points by the time Valencia kick off against their Mediterranean rivals, based 60 kilometres up the coast.
Villarreal, who won the corresponding fixture 2-1 last season, have climbed up to fifth this term with victories over Real Sociedad and Real Betis and Valencia are wary of the threat they will pose at Mestalla.
WEEKEND FIXTURES - Saturday: Celta Vigo v Deportivo La Coruna; Real Madrid v Murcia; Real Zaragoza v Atletico Madrid. Sunday: Athletic Bilbao v Osasuna; Espanyol v Real Mallorca; Malaga v Real Sociedad; Racing Santander v Barcelona; Sevilla v Albacete; Valencia v Villarreal; Valladolid v Real Betis.
SERIE A: Japan captain Hidetoshi Nakata is anxious to make a fresh start at Bologna following a frustrating spell with Italian rivals Parma.
With a six-month loan deal with Bologna formally announced yesterday, Nakata blamed a rift with Parma coach Cesare Prandelli for his decision to leave the cash-strapped club.
"I have decided to make a fresh start for the new year with a move to Bologna," Nakata said.
"Last season, I was being played out of position and still nothing has changed . . . even though the coach told me things would be different."
It was estimated that Parma could save €900,000 by loaning out Nakata - welcome news as the collapse of the club's parent company Parmalat has left them urgently needing to off-load players in an attempt to slash their wage bill.
Nakata, who has failed to establish himself since joining Parma from AS Roma for €21 million in July 2001, has complained bitterly about playing in a defensive midfield role.
The 26-year-old has yet to complete a full match in 11 Serie A appearances this season.
"The way I want to play and the way I am being asked to play are different," said Nakata. "I apologise to the Parma fans."
No fixtures this weekend.
BUNDESLIGA: The German Football League (DFL) has failed to agree a contract extension for the next two seasons with current television rights holder Infront, but said it still expected to earn more than the Swiss rights trader was offering.
Infront had an option that expired on December 31st to pay €295 million for next season and €300 million for the following season, but wanted to pay only €272.5 million and €277.5 million respectively.
"It is now the DFL's immediate task to begin talks with any interested parties," DFL president Werner Hackmann said in a statement.
Bundesliga clubs, who are currently on their winter break from playing, have suffered as revenue from television rights dropped from a peak in the 2000/'01 season. The clubs started this season with a combined €599 million in debt.
