MADRID, Sept. 20 (Xinhua) -- The sixth round of matches in La Liga comes after the start of the Champions League, while other sides have had midweek fixtures due to their European commitments. That means some sides will be more tired than others this weekend: here are some things to look out for in Spain over the coming days.
1 Big test for Barcelona
FC Barcelona have little time to recover from Thursday's Champions League visit to Monaco before Sunday's La Liga trip to Villarreal and that is likely to be a big test of their slightly limited squad.
Barca travel after suffering their first defeat of the season in their Champions League visit to Monaco on Thursday night.
Hansi Flick was able to recall Ansu Fati for that trip, but will be without, Fermin Lopez, Dani Olmo and Ferran Torres for Sunday's match, with Olmo and Lopez both injured and Torres suspended.
So far Lamine Yamal, Pedri and Inigo Martinez have been excellent for Barcelona, but Martinez and Pedri have suffered a lot of muscle injuries in recent years and the heavy fixture schedule has to be a worry. Meanwhile, Yamal has been outstanding, but it's a lot to ask a 17-year-old to maintain his level of performance and sooner or later he will need to rest.
2 Espanyol traditional 'friends' in the Bernabeu
Looking purely at results, it has been a good start to the season for Real Madrid, but an analysis of their performances tells a slightly different story: last weekend Real Sociedad hit the woodwork three times before two penalties gave Madrid the win and while they kicked off their Champions League defense with a 3-1 win at home to Stuttgart, the Germans had the better chances, only to be denied by Thibaut Courtois, while Madrid's last two goals came after goalkeeper errors.
Although Courtois and Madrid's firepower is seeing them over the line, Carlo Ancelotti needs more balance in midfield and defense, although Espanyol shouldn't pose much of a problem, as they are traditional victims in the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.
One player Madrid will have to watch out for however, is Espanyol striker Javi Puado, who scored a hat-trick against Alaves last week and has been in excellent form.
3 Entertaining Madrid derby in Vallecas
Rayo Vallecano take on Atletico Madrid in a city derby in their compact Vallecas Stadium.
Atletico looked very good when beating Valencia last weekend and their signings, Conor Gallagher, Robin le Normand and Julian Alvarez look to have bedded in very quickly.
Coach Diego Simeone will bring Alexander Sorloth and Conor Gallagher back after Thursday's Champions League 2-1 win at home to RB Leipzig and Rayo will look to take advantage of any tired legs.
Rayo impressed as they scored three second half goals against Osasuna on Monday night and the arrival of James Rodriguez has given Inigo Perez's side an extra dimension from set pieces (which Atletico usually defend well).
4 Important match in Valladolid.
Valladolid returned to La Liga with a win at home to Espanyol in their opening game and did better away to Real Madrid in their second game than their 3-0 defeat implies. However, they lost 7-0 to Barcelona and shipped three goals away to Celta Vigo and are now just above the relegation zone, needing to show signs of recovery.
They entertain Real Sociedad, who are having a worrying start to the season, with four defeats from six matches as they look to readjust after losing Robin le Normand and Mikel Merino over the summer, while Hamari Traore suffered a season-ending injury.
Most expect the side from San Sebastian to battle once again for a place in Europe, but after recent results and poor displays, coach Imanol is facing an early season crisis and desperately needs to stop the rot. ■
