MADRID, April 19 (Xinhua) -- The Easter weekend in Spain sees no let-up in La Liga, with Matchday 33 containing key games in the battle for Europe and to avoid relegation. Here are some things to look out for in Spain this weekend.
1. Barca to take a step closer to the title
Tuesday saw Barcelona brush past Manchester United to book their place in the semifinals of the Champions League, and Saturday should also see them edge closer to retaining La Liga.
Ernesto Valverde's side entertain Real Sociedad who are in mid-table no-man's land and struggling for form in recent weeks without Asier Illaramendi, David Zurutuza and Willian Jose, and although Mikel Oyarzabal is a threat for the side from San Sebastian, Barca should have too much for them.
Expect Valverde to make some changes to the team that beat Man Utd, with Ousmane Dembele and Nelson Semedo coming back into the side, but not the wholescale rotation he introduced for last weekend's 0-0 draw away to Huesca.
2. Champions League spot up for grabs in Getafe
Fifth-placed Getafe's home game against fourth-placed Sevilla promises to be the most important match of the weekend as both sides look to take a step towards Champions League football next season.
Sevilla have bounced back after a poor start to 2019 which led to Joaquin Caparros' return as coach, and a run of five wins in six games has lifted them a point above Sunday's hosts, who have just one win from their last five.
However, Getafe's recent results include a gutsy draw withg Valencia, and last weekend's 2-2 result away to Real Valladolid, where they played 30 minutes with a man less and equalized with a 96th minute penalty, and with strikers such as Jaime Mata, Jorge Molina and Angel Rodriguez, they can never be ruled out.
3. More drama around the relegation zone
Matchday 33 kicks off with five teams between 14th and 18th within three points of each other, with bottom pair Huesca and Rayo Vallecano a further five and four points further adrift.
Rayo entertain Huesca on Saturday which looks like the final chance for both of the two teams to give themselves a lifeline. Meanwhile, the weekend also sees 17th-placed Celta Vigo at home to 14th-placed Girona in another vital head-to-head clash.
Valladolid have a tough game away to Alaves on Friday night, while Levante need to end an eight-game run without a win at home to an improving Espanyol, and Villarreal will be optimistic they can take points from the visit of mid-table Leganes.
4. What clues will Zidane give this weekend?
Real Madrid have not exactly produced a run of sparkling results or form since Zinedine Zidane returned to the dugout just over a month ago, but the club seems to be focusing on the future more than the present.
Athletic Bilbao are the visitors to the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday, and Zidane will no doubt continue with his team rotation as he looks to decide who will stay and leave over the summer. So far, his team selections look to be bad news for Gareth Bale, Marcos Llorente, Toni Kroos, Dani Ceballos and Sergio Reguilon, but offer better news for Marcelo, Marcos Asensio and Keylor Navas. What clues will we glean this weekend?
