MADRID, Oct. 19 (Xinhua) -- The ninth round of games in La Liga is the start of an intense month of football in Spain with a lot at stake at the top and bottom of the table. Here are four things to watch out for in La Liga this weekend.
1.Can Real Madrid get back among the goals?
Real Madrid coach Julen Lopetegui must know he is under pressure after his side has failed to score a goal in their last four matches. Around 650 minutes of football have passed since Marco Asensio scored Madrid's last goal and there was speculation that the coach could be sacked during the international break.
Lopetegui desperately needs a win when Levante visit the Bernabeu on Saturday. Levante have been irregular so far this season, winning their last two games, but also conceding six goals at home to Sevilla. Coach Paco Lopez will set his side out to frustrate Madrid and hope that the longer they can keep them at bay, the more the patience of the fans (and Madrid President, Florentino Perez) will be tested.
2.Can Sevilla hold Barcelona in the Camp Nou?
League leaders Sevilla visit FC Barcelona in the Camp Nou Stadium following a run of four league games where they have taken 12 points, beaten Real Madrid 3-0 and scored a total of 14 goals. In contrast Barcelona have just three points from their last four matches and were held by Girona and Athletic Club Bilbao in their last two home matches.
They also have problems in defense with Gerard Pique and former Sevilla stopper Clement Lenglet their only two fit central defenders. It's a big week for Barcelona, who entertain Inter Milan on Wednesday, before receiving Real Madrid in the 'Clasico' on October 28.
However it's hard to imagine coach Ernesto Valverde resting any star players on Saturday. Barcelona have won their last six home league games against Sevilla as well as beating them in the Spanish Supercup in August. The question is; can Sevilla improve on that record and show their title credentials? The answer probably depends on Lionel Messi.
3.Atletico Madrid to pile the pressure on Javier Calleja?
Villarreal coach Javier Calleja was given a vote of confidence earlier in the week after a disappointing start to the season which has seen his side fail to win in front of their fans in the Estadio de la Ceramica. Atletico Madrid are as miserly as ever in defense and have Antoine Griezmann and Angel Correa in excellent form in attack. They are probably the last side that Calleja wants to face. To make matters worse, former Villarreal midfielder Rodri is likely to start for Atletico, perhaps giving a hint to what Calleja's side is lacking this campaign.
4.Athletic Club to get back on track in Ipurua?
It's been a strange season so far for Athletic Club Bilbao under new coach Eduardo Berizzo. They have been able to draw with Real Madrid and Barcelona, but lost home games to Villarreal and Real Sociedad.
No side in Spain wins possession of the ball more in their rival's half that Athletic Club, but they have failed to turn that into chances and goals and individual defensive errors have cost them points. Sunday sees a Basque derby in the always tough Ipurua Stadium and a chance to turn fortunes around in a ground where they have won on their last two visits.
