Barcelona midfielder Sergio Busquets has called for patience as his side look to overcome a disappointing start to 2010.

The Catalans travel to promoted Tenerife this weekend.

Barca could not have had a better 2009, winning all six trophies available to them, but Pep Guardiola's men have had a less successful time of it since the Christmas break.

In last weekend's Primera Division year match against Villarreal they dropped their first home points of the season after being held 1-1, and then in midweek they were beaten 2-1 at the Nou Camp by Sevilla in the opening leg of their Copa del Rey last-16 tie.

Barca play the second leg of that clash next week before then immediately meeting Sevilla again in the league, but before that the Catalan giants travel to a Tenerife side who boast a decent home record despite struggling near the foot of the standings.

Despite their slow start to the year, Barca are still unbeaten in La Liga and boast a two-point lead over Real Madrid at the summit, and Busquets insists the alarm bells are not ringing at the Catalan giants.

"We've had the misfortune to start 2010 without winning either of the two games we've played, but that's nothing for us to be concerned about," said the Spain international, whose side will be without suspended striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic on the Canary Island.

"Against Sevilla we could have won what was a very open game. Patience. I'm sure the good results will soon start to come."

Should Barca slip again, then Madrid could replace their arch rivals at the summit if they beat surprise package Real Mallorca at the Bernabeu earlier on Sunday evening.

Madrid, who could have Brazil star Kaka available after injury, missed the chance to go top last weekend when they were held 0-0 by Osasuna, but they will put Barca under pressure if they can make it nine wins out of nine at home this season against the Balearic Islanders.

Coincidentally, Mallorca are the only other side to still boast a 100% home record this season and that is the main reason why they travel to the capital flying high in fourth spot.

Mallorca have been less successful on their travels, winning just once, but coach Gregorio Manzano is nevertheless in optimistic mood ahead of this weekend's game.

"We won there last year and on other occasions before, and of course I want and hope to win at the Bernabeu again," he said.

Atletico Madrid travel to Real Valladolid looking to make amends for another dismal performance in midweek when they crashed to a 3-0 defeat to Segunda Division strugglers Recreativo Huelva in the first leg of their cup clash.

Midfielder Cleber Santana, whose side had started 2010 with a last-gasp win over Sevilla, said: "We played a very bad game. Atletico cannot allow themselves to play a match like that. We need to raise our heads and cannot give in."

Sevilla could have new signing Marius Stankevicius in their ranks as they look to end a mixed week with a home win over Racing Santander. The Lithuania international was signed on loan from Sampdoria yesterday to help cover the loss of full-back Sergio Sanchez, who has been told to stop playing for the time being due to a heart condition.

Also this weekend, third-placed Valencia travel to a Xerez side that are already eight points adrift of safety and looking set for an immediate return to the second division, while the two other teams in the relegation zone, Malaga and Real Zaragoza, meet Athletic Bilbao and Espanyol, respectively.

In-form Getafe, who have yet to draw a game this season, will attempt to make it six wins in seven at Sporting Gijon, while Deportivo La Coruna are at home to Osasuna and Villarreal take on Almeria.