MADRID, Nov. 3 (Xinhua) -- FC Barcelona have a tough away game in the 12th round of matches in Spain, while this weekend could see three different leaders: here are some things to keep an eye out for in La Liga.
1. Three different leaders?
There is a chance that the weekend could see three different sides sit on top of La Liga, all be it for a short period of time.
Atletico Madrid (who are currently in third place) will go top of the table on Friday night if they win away to a Celta Vigo side that is third from bottom and in desperate need of points.
A win in Vigo would means Atletico see Friday night as leaders, but if Girona take a point from their Saturday lunchtime visit to play Osasuna, they would leapfrog Diego Simeone's team and go top.
Girona made hard work of their Copa del Rey tie away to lowly San Roque Lepe on Wednesday, but have nine wins from 11 La Liga matches.
Real Madrid would however, reclaim the leadership if they match Girona's result in their home game against Rayo Vallecano in their match late on Sunday night.
2. Players back but pressure on Barcelona
FC Barcelona probably didn't deserve to lose at home to Real Madrid last weekend, but the result means that failure to win away to Real Sociedad on Saturday, could give Madrid the chance to start pulling clear in the league table.
The good news for Xavi Hernandez is that Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha, Pedri and Jules Kounde will all be available, while youngster Fermin Lopez continues to impress, but the bad news is that Real Sociedad are an excellent side.
Mikel Oyarzabal is back to his best, while Take Kubo, Ander Barrenetxea and Brais Mendez all offer pace and creativity in the last third and Mikel Merino and Martin Zubimendi look a match for Barca's central midfield.
If Real Sociedad win this, it would not be a surprise, but it would be a massive problem for Barca.
3. Last chance for Paco Lopez?
Sunday's visit to Valencia could be the last chance for Granada coach Paco Lopez to save his job after a difficult start to the season, and a potential disaster in the Copa del Rey.
Granada's 3-2 defeat to Villarreal on Monday left the club rooted in the bottom three after conceding 28 goals in 11 matches.
The Copa del Rey first round tie against fifth tier side Arosa offered some respite and although Granada hardly impressed, two late goals put some sheen on a 3-0 win away from home.
However, it was revealed only minutes after the final whistle that Granada had fielded an illegible player and face being kicked out of the tournament.
All of this means that failure to win on Sunday will probably be Lopez's swan song and with Valencia's hungry young side impressing this season, a win for Granada looks unlikely.
4. Injuries hurting Athletic Club's challenge
Sixth place Athletic Club Bilbao are in danger of seeing their good start to the season derailed by a worrying injury crisis.
Central defender Yeray Alverez is out for two months after an operation, while his replacement Aitor Paredes has lumbago, meaning coach Ernesto Valverde will have to improvise for their visit to Villarreal.
Meanwhile experienced left back Yuri, midfielder Ander Herrera and Spain winger Nico Williams all look likely to miss the trip as Athletic look to recover from a narrow defeat to Barcelona and a 2-2 draw at home to Valencia. ■
