MADRID, Feb. 3 (Xinhua) -- LaLiga returns to action in Spain after a weekend lay-off with several sides having made new signings at the end of the January transfer window ahead of the 23rd round of matches.
Getafe have several new faces as they look to continue their recovery under Quique Sanchez Flores with a home game against bottom of the table Levante.
Levante's home defeat to Cadiz before the break looks to have left them staring relegation in the face and new arrivals such as Borja Mayoral (a former Levante player), Oscar and Gonzalo Villar should see Getafe home relatively comfortably.
Saturday's games have a focus on the battle to avoid the drop with Alaves needing at least a point from their visit to Elche, whose draw away to Real Madrid a fortnight ago confirmed their recovery under Fran Rodriguez.
There will also be drama in Mallorca when the home side, who are fourth from bottom after a poor run of form, entertain third from bottom Cadiz, who have added former Elche striker Lucas Perez to their squad.
Mallorca lost to Rayo Vallecano in the Copa del Rey, while Valencia beat Cadiz on Wednesday night and neither side has much recovery time, with Rayo traveling to play Celta Vigo in what promises to be an entertaining game, although Rayo's poor away form makes Celta favorites for all three points.
Anthony Martial was one of the most significant moves to LaLiga in January, and the French striker on loan from Manchester United is likely to make his debut for second place Sevilla in a potentially tricky visit to face Osasuna. Sevilla should also be boosted by the return of strikers Youssef En-Neysri and Munir and goalkeeper Bono after Morocco's exit from the African Cup of Nations.
Sunday's most attractive game sees FC Barcelona and Atletico Madrid face off in the Camp Nou Stadium. Barca have all of their January signings available in a key game for a place in next season's Champions League, although Ansu Fati is likely to be out for at least two months.
The game will see Luis Suarez and Antoine Griezmann return to Camp Nou to add more spice to what is likely to be a feisty affair.
If Sevilla beat Osasuna on Saturday, Real Madrid will kick off their home game against Granada with only one point more than their main title rivals, although Carlo Ancelotti's side should have few problems with Granada.
After conceding six goals in their last two games, Roberto Moreno's side travel to the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium is still not clear of danger at the wrong end of the league.
Six wins from their last eight games have lifted Villarreal up to seventh and their visit to third place Betis also promises, especially as Villarreal's winter signing, Giovani lo Celso returns to play his former club.
Betis play a Copa del Rey tie away to Real Sociedad on Thursday night and that game could take it out of both sides, although Real Sociedad's weekend rivals Valencia were also in Cup action on Wednesday.
The round of matches finishes on Monday with Athletic Club Bilbao at home to Espanyol, who are handicapped by the suspension of top scorer Raul de Tomas after his sending off in their home defeat to Betis two weeks ago. ■
