MADRID, March 29 (Xinhua) -- Spain's La Liga returns to action on Saturday following the international break as Spain's football clubs prepare for the decisive downhill sprint to the end of the season.
Lionel Messi is doubtful ahead of Barcelona's game away to Sevilla on Saturday night.
Messi was unable to play in either of Argentina's recent friendlies due to a groin strain. Although Bar ca coach Ernesto Valverde said on Wednesday that the striker wasn't a worry, he may be tempted to rest him ahead of next week's Champions League quarter-final against Roma.
Sergio Busquets will also miss out on the fixture as he continues to recover from a broken bone in his foot. Sevilla also have a Champions League game in midweek and will be without the creative Pablo Sarabia, who was sent off in Leganes before the international break.
Real Madrid also play on Saturday and will expect to win on their trip to Las Palmas. Two things to look out for in that game are whether Isco will start following his hat-trick for Spain on Tuesday and whether Cristiano Ronaldo can continue his impressive run of scoring in the second half of the campaign.
Third from bottom Las Palmas, have the second worst defensive record in La Liga although Paco Jemez's side did recently force a 1-1 draw at home to an off-color Barca.
Saturday kicks off with Girona, who would go into sixth place ahead of Sevilla if they can defeat a Levante side that has won two consecutive matches to build a six-point cushion above the relegation zone.
Athletic Club Bilbao then entertain Celta Vigo, whose slight chances of qualifying for Europe depend on them winning in San Mames, where the home fans will hope to see the return of Iker Muniain six months after undergoing knee surgery.
Sunday kicks off with Espanyol entertaining Alaves, before Leganes face fourth place Valencia, who have six wins in their last seven matches.
Imanol Alguacil makes his debut as Real Sociedad coach after being named as Eusebio's replacement until the end of the season. The new manager's team takes on Eibar in a Basque derby.
Real Sociedad have lost all three of their league encounters against their neighbors in the Ipurua Stadium and the home side will be looking to improve on a recent record of just one point from a possible nine.
Fifth placed Villarreal should take all three points from relegation haunted Malaga, who have just 14 points all season, while Atletico should have few problems at home to second from bottom Deportivo, who have conceded 60 goals and scored just 26 in their disastrous campaign.
The round of matches ends on Monday as ninth placed Getafe entertain eighth placed Betis with both sides looking for a top-seven finish this season.
