MADRID, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- The past two weekends have seen FC Barcelona cede four points in the battle for the Liga Santander title and in matchday 24 the Catalans face one of their most difficult away games between now and the end of the campaign. Here are some things to look out for this coming weekend in Spain.
1. Ipurua to test Barca's mettle
Eibar are one of Europe's in-form sides with a run of just one defeat in 12 games that has taken them to seventh place in the Liga Santander, with one of the reasons for that being their perofrmances in their tight Ipurua Stadium.
Eibar know exactly how to play in the small ground with the stands virtually on top of the pitch and very often with the wet conditions that await Barca on Saturday.
Barca will visit a team where every player knows what they have to do and whose coach Jose Luis Mendilibar doesn't allow them to relax for a moment.
It will be 90 demanding minutes for Barca, who will have to not only match Eibar for skill, but also for effort and commitment. If they take three points on Saturday, it will be a big stride towards the title.
2. Betis-Real Madrid promises to be fun
Betis beat Real Madrid in the Santiago Bernabeu earlier this season and will now welcome them to the Benito Villamarin with their morale sky high after two consecutive wins have lifted them into eighth spot.
The Betis fans have a new hero in young striker Loren Moron, who has exploded into the first team with three goals in his first two games and he will be looking to do the same to Real Madrid on Sunday night.
Madrid travel after their 3-1 Champions League win at home to Paris Saint Germain in a game they turned around in the last 7 minutes and they too will be flying.
Neither side are especially reliable in defense, so this promises to be a thriller.
3. Which Atletico will be seen?
Depending on Barcelona's result in Eibar, Atletico Madrid could have the chance to move to within four points of the top of the table when they entertain Athletic Club Bilbao on Sunday afternoon.
Last weekend saw a typical Atletico Madrid performance: an early goal away to Malaga, followed by 89 minutes of defensive solidity to claim their eighth 1-0 win of the season. However they cast off their shackles with an exciting attacking display to defeat Copenhagen 4-1 away from home in the Europa League showing that when they put their mind to attack, they can do so.
The simple question is: which Atletico Madrid will put in an appearance at the Wanda Metropolitano on Sunday?
4. Alaves to take a big step towards safety?
When Abelardo Fernandez took over at Alaves three months ago the side had just six points from 12 games and looked set for relegation, but under the guidance of the former Barcelona defender they have taken 19 points from a possible 30 and are now seven points clear of the relegation zone.
Unlike Alaves, Deportivo's two changes of coach this campaign have so far had little effect and although hopes were high for Clarence Seedorf's debut on Monday, they lost at home to Betis.
A win for Alaves could lift them 10 points clear of the drop zone, virtually ending their worries for this season, while leaving Deportivo in deep trouble.
