Madrid - The last thing that hapless Sporting Gijon need at the moment is another difficult game in Spain's Primera Division.

But that is exactly what they will have on Saturday, when they face leaders Villarreal.

Gijon returned into the top flight after 11 seasons of second division misery. Now they must be wishing that they hadn't gained promotion in May, so badly have they started in La Liga.

Manuel Preciado's side are rock bottom with zero points - and have conceded no less than 19 goals in just four games.

Their last three opponents were Real Madrid, Barcelona and Sevilla. Now come Villarreal, who went top on Wednesday with a 2-0 defeat of Racing Santander.

"We were really horrendous tonight," said a dispirited Preciado after Wednesday's 7-1 defeat against Real.

"We will have to improve in every single department," he added, "before Saturday."

Also on Saturday, Real are away to Real Betis who have made almost as poor a start as Gijon.

Real's new idol is Rafael Van der Vaart, scorer of a handsome hat- trick against Gijon.

Van der Vaart's emergence could not have been more timely, since fellow midfielders Wesley Sneijder, Fernando Gago and Guti are all injured.

Real are joint second with crosstown rivals Atletico, both of them just one point behind Villarreal.

Saturday's other game is a fascinating Catalan derby between tough Espanyol and fast-improving Barcelona.

Barca are now fifth, Espanyol eighth.

Barca coach Josep Guardiola has come under fire for not giving more playing time to teenage striker Bojan Krkic, but it remains unclear how can he do that as Samuel Eto'o, Lionel Messi and Andres Iniesta are linking up well.

The big game on Sunday sees Atletico Madrid at home to fourth- placed Sevilla.

Atletico have made their best start since 1995 - when they pulled off a memorable league-and-cup double.

Valencia, meanwhile, will be at home to Deportivo Coruna, while Almeria face Recreativo Huelva and Malaga take on Valladolid.

Sunday's other games are: Athletic Bilbao vs Getafe, Racing Santander vs Mallorca and Numancia vs Osasuna.