MADRID, Oct. 18 (Xinhua) -- La Liga returns to action in Spain following the international break with both Real Madrid coach Julen Lopetegui and FC Barcelona's Ernesto Valverde under the spotlight at the start of a decisive eight days ahead of the 'Clasico' between Barcelona and Madrid next weekend.
Celta Vigo and Alaves kick off Matchday 9 on Friday night with Alaves looking to maintain the form which saw them defeat Madrid 1-0 in their last game.
That defeat piled the pressure on Real Madrid boss, Julen Lopetegui, whose side hasn't scored a goal in its last four matches. With candidates to replace him in the Real Madrid dugout appearing in the Spanish press, failure to win their 1pm kick off at home to Levante on Saturday would be a disaster Lopetegui probably wouldn't survive.
The good news for the coach is that he will at least have Isco, Marcelo and Karim Benzema back for that game, with a question mark still hanging over the fitness of Gareth Bale.
Valencia are next in action with a home game against Leganes, who climbed off the bottom of the table a fortnight ago following a narrow win over Rayo Vallecano. Valencia drew at home to Barcelona in their last game, but have just one win all season, with six draws from eight games.
Atletico Madrid should be at full strength for their visit to Villarreal, whose coach Jose Calleja is another man under pressure following a disappointing start to the campaign. Villarreal have just eight points from eight games and have struggled at home. Atletico meanwhile should have Diego Costa and Jose Gimenez available after injury, while Antoine Griezmann is in fine form as he showed with his two goals for France against Germany during the week.
The biggest match of the weekend brings Saturday to a close as league leaders, Sevilla visit the Camp Nou Stadium. Barcelona have taken just three points from the last 12, while Sevilla have won their last three games and look a much better side compared to last season.
Andre Silva's arrival has given them a focus in attack and allowed Wissam Ben Yedder to flourish alongside him. Barcelona meanwhile look over reliant on Lionel Messi and have injury problems with Samuel Umtiti and Thomas Vermaelen out injured. This leaves Gerard Pique and Clement Lenglet, who joined the club from Sevilla over the summer, as the only two fit central defenders.
A win for Barcelona will be the perfect start to a frantic eight days which also sees them entertain Inter Milan and Real Madrid.
Sunday starts with two derbies as Rayo Vallecano face Getafe in Vallecas before Athletic Club Bilbao travel to Eibar looking for three points to lift them clear of the danger zone.
Former Eibar players Dani Garcia and Ander Capa could well start for Athletic, who tend to get good results in the Ipurua Stadium. Espanyol coach Rubi returns to Huesca, who he led to promotion last season, while Francisco Rodriguez has his first game in charge of the side who are currently bottom of the table and who sacked Leo Franco after losing their last match in Valladolid.
Valladolid look for their fourth consecutive win when they visit Betis, while the round of matches ends as Eusebio Sacristan takes Girona to face his former club, Real Sociedad.
