Vinicius Jr is back after suspension as Real Madrid takes on the side currently ranking third from bottom and desperately needing points to escape the relegation zone. Madrid had few problems against bottom side Real Valladolid last weekend, and also won in Brest on Wednesday, although it still faces a potentially difficult UEFA Champions League playoff round and also has a Copa del Rey quarterfinal next week in Leganes. Real Madrid has traditionally done well against Espanyol, while Saturday could give David Alaba the chance for more game time as he continues his recovery from a serious knee injury.
Atletico Madrid cruised into the last 16 of the Champions League with a win at Red Bull Salzburg on Wednesday, but has only taken one point in the past two league matches, conceding top spot to Real Madrid. Diego Simeone's side entertains sixth-placed Mallorca, who will be without the suspended Omar Mascarell for Saturday's game. Atletico visits Real Madrid next weekend, and striker Julian Alvarez will have to be careful as he has picked up four yellow cards this season and another one would see him miss the trip to the Santiago Bernabeu.
Barcelona recovered its league form with last weekend's spanking of Valencia, and Hansi Flick's side is at home against relegation-threatened Alaves. Alaves' decision to replace former coach Luis Garcia with Eduardo Coudet has yet to pay off, although the team has registered four draws in their last six games. The round of matches kicks off on Friday night with a derby as Leganes hosts Rayo Vallecano. A seven-game unbeaten run has carried Rayo up to seventh in the table, but Leganes has shown in recent games that they are tough to beat, keeping clean sheets against Atletico Madrid and Athletic Bilbao in their last two games.
Following a goalless draw with Leganes, Athletic Bilbao has a six-point gap over fifth-placed Villarreal, and the Yellow Submarine will expect to close that gap to three points when it hosts rock-bottom Valladolid on Saturday. Betis has one week to prepare for the game and is expected to give a debut to Brazilian winger Antony, who has joined on loan from Manchester United. Getafe's win over Real Sociedad last weekend helped lift them away from the danger zone, and it faces Sevilla, who will be without the suspended Isaac Romero and Adria Pedrosa.
Valencia can expect a hostile reception from its own fans for a vital home game against Celta Vigo after its display in Barcelona last week.
