MADRID, Sept. 24 (Xinhua) -- Spain's La Liga has a round of midweek matches as the fixture calendar begins to get congested with European and domestic competitions occupying the midweek schedule and testing squads to the limit.
Matchday six kicks off on Tuesday with Espanyol, who were slightly unlucky to lose 1-0 to Real Madrid, and then at home against Eibar, who have taken seven points from three games.
Real Sociedad expect to claim their first win in the newly refurbished Anoeta Stadium when they entertain a Rayo Vallecano side chastened by a 5-1 home defeat against Alaves at the weekend.
Real Sociedad have Juanmi and Theo Hernandez suspended after they were sent off in Friday's 1-0 win against Huesca, while Abdoulaye Ba is out for Rayo after his red card against Alaves.
Atletico Madrid players have commented about the poor state of the playing surface at the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium, but that shouldn't be an excuse as they entertain newly promoted Huesca.
Huesca started life in the top flight brightly with four points from their first two games in the La Liga, but three consecutive defeats (1-0 at home to Rayo and Real Sociedad and an 8-2 thrashing in the Camp Nou) have brought them back to earth with a bang.
Both FC Barcelona and Real Madrid play on Wednesday with Barca likely to make changes to their starting 11 when they travel to face bottom of the table Leganes.
Ivan Rakitic, Samuel Umtiti, Sergi Roberto and Phillipe Coutinho can all expect to start as Ernesto Valverde's men look to bounce back after being held 2-2 at home by Girona on Sunday.
Real Madrid have had an extra day to prepare for their difficult trip to face Sevilla in the Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium and Julen Lopetegui has already commented that he will continue to make full use of his squad as the calendar gets more congested.
Gareth Bale and Marcelo will both go into the side after being rested against Espanyol while the focus could be on new signing Mariano Diaz, who was on the verge of joining Sevilla before backing out of the deal at the last minute to move to the Bernabeu.
Mariano can expect a hostile reception from Sevilla supporters, while the home side are flying after scoring 11 goals in their last two matches (five at home to Standard Liege and six away to Levante on Sunday lunchtime).
Wednesday also sees Athletic Club Bilbao looking to stretch their unbeaten start to the season when Villarreal visit the San Mames Stadium. Aritz Aduriz and Iker Muniain should be in condition to start for the Basque side after recent injury problems.
The round of games ends on Thursday as former Alaves coach Pepe Bordalas takes his Getafe side to the Mendizorroza Stadium, where Alaves are flying with 10 points from their last four games. Valladolid are looking for their first win since returning to the top flight as they take on a Levante that still reeling for Sunday's thrashing at home to Sevilla and Girona will test their recent form at home to Betis, who have shown they are vulnerable to being pressed high up the field.
