MADRID, Nov. 29 (Xinhua) -- Sevilla look to maintain their leadership of La Liga in a difficult away game, while Real Madrid have a tough home match and FC Barcelona look to have things slightly easier in Spain's matchday 14 this weekend.
Sevilla took advantage of the 1-1 draw between Atletico Madrid and Barcelona last weekend to go to the top of the table, but if Pablo Machin's side wants to remain there they will have to win away to fourth placed Alaves, who would overtake them in the classification with a home win.
It is just a year since Abelardo Fernandez took over at Alaves with the side rock-bottom of the league, but the former Barcelona player and Sporting Gijon coach has brought around a remarkable transformation in that time.
Alaves are more dangerous when they are in the 'underdog' role and if Sevilla can take all three points from a cold Mendizorroza Stadium on Sunday night, they will confirm their title candidacy.
Real Madrid recovered from last weekend's humiliation away to Eibar with a 2-0 win away to Roma in the Champions League, but face a tough rival on Saturday when Valencia visit the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium. Valencia were unlucky to go out of the Champions League with a narrow 1-0 defeat to Juventus on Tuesday, but are recovering after a bad start to the season.
Marcelino Garcia's side has won their last two league games and it will be another big test for Santiago Solari's team, who will again be without Nacho and Casemiro.
Barcelona assured they will finish top of their Champions League group on Wednesday night, but will be without Luis Suarez against visiting Villarreal. Villarreal are another side suffering in the wrong half of the table, but they have pace up front and Barcelona will do well to remember how Real Betis defeated them 4-3 in their last home game in the Camp Nou Stadium.
Meanwhile Atletico Madrid travel to Girona, who climbed up to seventh place in the table thanks to an impressive 3-1 win away to Espanyol last weekend. Girona are unbeaten on the road, but have lost three times in front of their fans this campaign. Girona striker Cristhian Stauni is currently the top scorer in the league this season with 10 goals; one more than Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez.
The weekend kicks off with Rayo Vallecano still searching for their first home win of the campaign as Eibar visit the Vallecas Stadium, before new Celta Vigo coach Miguel Cardoso makes his home debut against bottom of the table Huesca. Cardoso will look for an improvement on his side's 2-1 defeat away to Real Sociedad on Monday.
It promises to be a game of few goals as Real Valladolid entertain Leganes, while Espanyol's visit to Getafe also promises to be a tactical affair as the Catalans aim to recover from their defeat to Girona.
Sunday kicks off with Real Betis, who can be both impressive and frustrating, entertaining Real Sociedad, who are slowly but surely climbing the table and who could move into the top-6 with a victory.
The round of matches ends on Monday with Athletic Club Bilbao looking to end a run of 12 league games without a win when they visit Levante.
