Real Madrid make the short trip across the Spanish capital to face rivals Atletico Madrid on Sunday seeking revenge for their 4-0 humiliation at the Vicente Calderon in the league last season.
Their biggest defeat in a Madrid derby in 27 years precipitated a Real collapse as they surrendered a commanding lead in the La Liga title race that allowed eternal rivals Barcelona to claim a historic treble of league, Copa del Rey and Champions League.
Read more: Andy Mitten on Luis Enrique's justifiable frustration with the Camp Nou crowd
Real defender Alvaro Arbeloa sparked tensions ahead of the biggest La Liga game of the season to date by claiming the derby remains the biggest game of the season for Atletico.
“We know that the game on Sunday is always the game of the year for Atletico and we will have to play well,” the former Liverpool man warned after Real saw off Malmo 2-0 in the Champions League in midweek.
Cristiano Ronaldo took his career tally to 501 goals with a double in Sweden and moved level with Raul as Real Madrid’s all-time leading goalscorer in the process with 323.
And the Portuguese would love the vindication of breaking the record at the Calderon after the criticism he received for hosting his 30th birthday party just hours after the 4-0 defeat back in February.
Meanwhile, Atletico’s early-season optimism has been diminished by back-to-back defeats against Villarreal and Benfica in the past week.
Diego Simeone’s men were beaten at home in the Champions League for the first time since 2009 by the Portuguese champions on Wednesday.
“In these moments it is normal that the team isn’t happy due to the defeat,” said Simeone.
“We will return to training and focus on what is clearly an important game for everyone. I don’t think there will be much motivation needed to play on Sunday.”
Atletico also have reason to seek revenge as they were eliminated from the Champions League for the second consecutive season by Madrid in their last meeting back in April.
However, that defeat ended a seven-game unbeaten run against Real.
“Sunday will be a special game for everyone. Lately we have played very well against them, above all here at home and we hope it continues like this,” added Atletico captain Gabi.
Real manager Rafa Benitez may be able to recall the injured trio of Gareth Bale, James Rodriguez and Sergio Ramos, who have all missed the last four games.
Spanish international Koke remains Atletico’s only injury doubt, with Simeone tasked with deciding between the misfiring Jackson Martinez or Fernando Torres to partner Antoine Griezmann up front.
Barcelona could move four points clear of Real on Saturday when the injury-ravaged European champions travel to Sevilla.
The blow of losing Lionel Messi for two months was intensified as Andres Iniesta hobbled off during Barca’s 2-1 win over Bayer Leverkusen in midweek and is also set for a month on the sidelines.
“It is not just 11 or 12 players that win competitions, there are reserves behind and now some of those that wouldn’t have had so many minutes will get their chance,” said Argentine defender Javier Mascherano.
“Those of us that are fit need to keep going and know that whilst we win games there is less time left until those important players return.”
Elsewhere, Celta Vigo have the opportunity to move top for 24 hours on Friday when they host Getafe.
Leaders Villarreal are favourites to stretch their winning streak to six league games when they visit Levante on Sunday.
Former Manchester United coach David Moyes’s position as Real Sociedad manager will come under more scrutiny should the Basque club fail to secure just their second win of the campaign at a Malaga side that have yet to score a goal this season.
And Valencia will be aiming to continue their upturn in form with a third consecutive win when they visit Athletic Bilbao.
Fixtures (UAE times)
Friday
Celta Vigo v Getafe (10.30pm)
Saturday
Sevilla v Barcelona (6pm), Granada v Deportivo la Coruna (8.15pm), Espanyol v Sporting Gijon (10.30pm), Las Palmas v Eibar (Midnight), Malaga v Real Sociedad (12.05am Sunday)
Sunday
Rayo Vallecano v Real Betis (2pm), Athletic Bilbao v Valencia (6pm), Levante v Villarreal (8.15pm), Atletico Madrid v Real Madrid (10.30pm)
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What is a Ponzi scheme?
A fraudulent investment operation where the scammer provides fake reports and generates returns for old investors through money paid by new investors, rather than through ligitimate business activities.
Sole survivors
- Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
- George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
- Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
- Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
if you go
The flights
Etihad, Emirates and Singapore Airlines fly direct from the UAE to Singapore from Dh2,265 return including taxes. The flight takes about 7 hours.
The hotel
Rooms at the M Social Singapore cost from SG $179 (Dh488) per night including taxes.
The tour
Makan Makan Walking group tours costs from SG $90 (Dh245) per person for about three hours. Tailor-made tours can be arranged. For details go to www.woknstroll.com.sg
The specs: 2018 Nissan Patrol Nismo
Price: base / as tested: Dh382,000
Engine: 5.6-litre V8
Gearbox: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 428hp @ 5,800rpm
Torque: 560Nm @ 3,600rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 12.7L / 100km
SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20APPLE%20TV%204K%20(THIRD%20GENERATION)
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About Karol Nawrocki
• Supports military aid for Ukraine, unlike other eurosceptic leaders, but he will oppose its membership in western alliances.
• A nationalist, his campaign slogan was Poland First. "Let's help others, but let's take care of our own citizens first," he said on social media in April.
• Cultivates tough-guy image, posting videos of himself at shooting ranges and in boxing rings.
• Met Donald Trump at the White House and received his backing.
Essentials
The flights: You can fly from the UAE to Iceland with one stop in Europe with a variety of airlines. Return flights with Emirates from Dubai to Stockholm, then Icelandair to Reykjavik, cost from Dh4,153 return. The whole trip takes 11 hours. British Airways flies from Abu Dhabi and Dubai to Reykjavik, via London, with return flights taking 12 hours and costing from Dh2,490 return, including taxes.
The activities: A half-day Silfra snorkelling trip costs 14,990 Icelandic kronur (Dh544) with Dive.is. Inside the Volcano also takes half a day and costs 42,000 kronur (Dh1,524). The Jokulsarlon small-boat cruise lasts about an hour and costs 9,800 kronur (Dh356). Into the Glacier costs 19,500 kronur (Dh708). It lasts three to four hours.
The tours: It’s often better to book a tailor-made trip through a specialist operator. UK-based Discover the World offers seven nights, self-driving, across the island from £892 (Dh4,505) per person. This includes three nights’ accommodation at Hotel Husafell near Into the Glacier, two nights at Hotel Ranga and two nights at the Icelandair Hotel Klaustur. It includes car rental, plus an iPad with itinerary and tourist information pre-loaded onto it, while activities can be booked as optional extras. More information inspiredbyiceland.com
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
Abu Dhabi GP schedule
Friday: First practice - 1pm; Second practice - 5pm
Saturday: Final practice - 2pm; Qualifying - 5pm
Sunday: Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (55 laps) - 5.10pm
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
if you go
The flights
Air Astana flies direct from Dubai to Almaty from Dh2,440 per person return, and to Astana (via Almaty) from Dh2,930 return, both including taxes.
The hotels
Rooms at the Ritz-Carlton Almaty cost from Dh1,944 per night including taxes; and in Astana the new Ritz-Carlton Astana (www.marriott) costs from Dh1,325; alternatively, the new St Regis Astana costs from Dh1,458 per night including taxes.
When to visit
March-May and September-November
Visas
Citizens of many countries, including the UAE do not need a visa to enter Kazakhstan for up to 30 days. Contact the nearest Kazakhstan embassy or consulate.
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Who has been sanctioned?
Daniella Weiss and Nachala
Described as 'the grandmother of the settler movement', she has encouraged the expansion of settlements for decades. The 79 year old leads radical settler movement Nachala, whose aim is for Israel to annex Gaza and the occupied West Bank, where it helps settlers built outposts.
Harel Libi & Libi Construction and Infrastructure
Libi has been involved in threatening and perpetuating acts of aggression and violence against Palestinians. His firm has provided logistical and financial support for the establishment of illegal outposts.
Zohar Sabah
Runs a settler outpost named Zohar’s Farm and has previously faced charges of violence against Palestinians. He was indicted by Israel’s State Attorney’s Office in September for allegedly participating in a violent attack against Palestinians and activists in the West Bank village of Muarrajat.
Coco’s Farm and Neria’s Farm
These are illegal outposts in the West Bank, which are at the vanguard of the settler movement. According to the UK, they are associated with people who have been involved in enabling, inciting, promoting or providing support for activities that amount to “serious abuse”.
ARGYLLE
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UK-EU trade at a glance
EU fishing vessels guaranteed access to UK waters for 12 years
Co-operation on security initiatives and procurement of defence products
Youth experience scheme to work, study or volunteer in UK and EU countries
Smoother border management with use of e-gates
Cutting red tape on import and export of food
The biog
Job: Fitness entrepreneur, body-builder and trainer
Favourite superhero: Batman
Favourite quote: We must become the change we want to see, by Mahatma Gandhi.
Favourite car: Lamborghini
Anghami
Started: December 2011
Co-founders: Elie Habib, Eddy Maroun
Based: Beirut and Dubai
Sector: Entertainment
Size: 85 employees
Stage: Series C
Investors: MEVP, du, Mobily, MBC, Samena Capital
SPECS
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Company%20profile
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Director: Shady Ali
Cast: Boumi Fouad , Mohamed Tharout and Hisham Ismael
Rating: 3/5
Tax authority targets shisha levy evasion
The Federal Tax Authority will track shisha imports with electronic markers to protect customers and ensure levies have been paid.
Khalid Ali Al Bustani, director of the tax authority, on Sunday said the move is to "prevent tax evasion and support the authority’s tax collection efforts".
The scheme’s first phase, which came into effect on 1st January, 2019, covers all types of imported and domestically produced and distributed cigarettes. As of May 1, importing any type of cigarettes without the digital marks will be prohibited.
He said the latest phase will see imported and locally produced shisha tobacco tracked by the final quarter of this year.
"The FTA also maintains ongoing communication with concerned companies, to help them adapt their systems to meet our requirements and coordinate between all parties involved," he said.
As with cigarettes, shisha was hit with a 100 per cent tax in October 2017, though manufacturers and cafes absorbed some of the costs to prevent prices doubling.
