•The round of matches kicks off on Friday night.
•Rodrygo and Federico Valverde all arriving tired after playing in the World Cup qualifier between Uruguay and Brazil
Image: XINHUA
Two standout matches in La Liga this weekend are likely to capture the headlines, with Real Madrid’s visit to Sevilla having everything to make it a classic.
Sevilla has former Uruguay national team coach Diego Alonso making his debut in the dugout after replacing Jose Luis Mendilibar during the international break.
Apart from Alonso’s debut, the big story is that Sergio Ramos will face the club where he made 671 first-team appearances between 2005 and 2021.
Ramos’ battle against the Real Madrid attack is likely to be fascinating, although Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti has some decisions to make with Vinicius Jr, Rodrygo and Federico Valverde all arriving tired after playing in the World Cup qualifier between Uruguay and Brazil in the early hours of Wednesday morning Spanish time.
Mariano Diaz could also face Real Madrid, with the striker returning to full training after a month out with a muscle problem.
Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez has a host of injury problems ahead of his side’s game at home to fifth-placed Athletic Bilbao. Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha, Frenkie de Jong, Sergi Roberto, Pedri and Jules Kounde are all sidelined, while Ronald Araujo also returned late after playing for Uruguay. That means summer arrival Inigo Martinez could start against the club where he spent the last five years.
Athletic, who has not won in Barcelona since 2001, should have winger Nico Williams and central midfielder Inigo Ruiz de Galarreta available for their visit to Montjuic.
The round of matches kicks off on Friday night with Granada visiting Osasuna. Granada travels second from bottom in the table, but will be boosted by their 2-2 draw with Barca before the break and the form of winger Bryan Zaragoza.
Real Sociedad has lost striker Andre Silva for their home game against Mallorca, while defender Kevin Tierney is also out and Mohamed Ali-Cho and Alvaro Odriozola are both doubts.
Getafe has three draws from their last three games, while Real Betis has three from their last four, so a share of the points when the two teams meet in the south of Madrid wouldn’t be a surprise.
Atletico Madrid travels to the northwest to play Celta Vigo, where they can expect a heavy pitch after a lot of rain has fallen in the area. Celta dropped into the relegation zone before the break and just six points from nine games is their worst ever start to a season in La Liga.
The break has allowed Atletico to see Angel Correa, Pablo Barrios and Nahuel Molina fit again, but Memphis Depay is still unavailable.
Las Palmas coach Garcia Pimienta signed a new contract earlier this week after his side’s positive return to the elite and they now entertain Rayo Vallecano, who has four draws and a win in their last five games.
Gaizka Garitano has to tighten things up in defense in his debut as Almeria coach as the bottom side travels to play second-placed Girona, who must be confident of claiming their eighth win of the season.
Villarreal needs to find some form at home to Alaves, who has struggled on the road this season and the round of matches ends on Monday when Valencia looks to end a run of two defeats and a draw at home to Cadiz, whose last win was on September 1.