MADRID, Oct. 25 (Xinhua) -- The 'Clasico' between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid will capture most of the football headlines in Spain this weekend, but that doesn't mean there isn't going to be drama elsewhere in the Liga Santander.
Barca will take on Real Madrid in the Camp Nou Stadium on Sunday afternoon with Leo Messi out after breaking the radial bone in his right arm last weekend.
Messi watched from the stands as his teammates stepped up to compensate for his absence in a 2-0 win at home over Inter Milan on Wednesday night and that success will build up Barca's confidence going into the game.
Confidence is in short supply in the Real Madrid camp, although they ended a five-game run without a win when they defeated Viktoria Plzen on Tuesday.
That narrow win has done little to boost confidence in Julen Lopetegui, who is likely be sacked unless Madrid win in the Camp Nou.
The Madrid coach will point to bad luck in front of goal and Barca would be well-advised not to take it for granted that Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema will continue to miss chances, while the rest of Lopetegui's side are likely to raise their game against the traditional rival.
It would be brave to bet against Barca at the moment, but if the Real Madrid players really do back their coach, it could be closer than many think.
The round of matches kicks off in Valladolid with a meeting between two sides who could both theoretically end the weekend as leaders. Valladolid will defend a run of four successive wins, against Espanyol, who would momentarily leapfrog their neighbors Barca if they can grab a win in the Nuevo Zorrilla Stadium.
Saturday kicks off with Girona hosting Rayo Vallecano at home with both in need of points and there is likely to be drama in San Mames when Athletic Club entertain Valencia.
Both teams have just one win so far and although Athletic have only lost twice and Valencia just once, another game without a win would start the alarm bells ringing at both clubs.
Celta Vigo have gone six games without a win and their coach Antonio Mohamed will be another man under pressure if they can't take three points from an Eibar side that is always tough to deal with.
Levante and Leganes play at the same time with Levante looking for their fourth consecutive win after triumphs against Alaves, Getafe and Real Madrid, while Leganes need points to climb out of the bottom three.
Atletico Madrid need to bounce back from Wednesday's 4-0 thrashing to Borussia Dortmund and entertain a Real Sociedad side that looks more comfortable away from home than in their own Anoeta Stadium.
Getafe will play at home against Betis, who have not scored in their last two games and have a tough Europa League tie away to AC Milan on Thursday, while the weekend ends with Sevilla, who could also return to the top of the table depending on what happens in the Clasico, hosting bottom of the table, Huesca, who had six defeats and a draw from their last 7 games.
