MADRID, Nov. 1 (Xinhua) -- There is very little time for teams to rest and take stock in Spain before the 12th round of matches in the Liga Santander kicks off this weekend. Here are some things to look out for as the schedule starts to look cramped.
1. Can Real Madrid make it two out of two?
The fixture calendar has been kind to Real Madrid this week with two home games against Liga Santander strugglers as Zinedine Zidane's side look for consistency. Leganes put up scant resistance on Wednesday as they reserved their strength for the visit of Eibar on Sunday, while Betis also arrive in crisis.
Although a last-minute winner gave them three points they barely deserved at home to Celta on Wednesday and saved coach Joan Ferrer's job, Betis travel to Madrid after shipping 21 goals this season and unless they improve on that they will go home empty-handed.
Real Madrid wasn't brilliant against Leganes, but they did enough to win easily and expect another comfortable, morale-boosting win on Saturday night.
2. Will Sevilla show top-four credentials?
It has been a decent week for Julen Lopetegui's Sevilla, who were energetic and impressive in their 2-0 win at home to Getafe last weekend and following those three points with a 1-1 draw in Valencia. Now Sevilla entertains Atletico Madrid in the Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium in a game that could show the limits of their ambitions for the season.
Lopetegui's men were slightly unlucky to lose 1-0 at home to Real Madrid, but they conceded five away to Barca earlier this campaign; in order to show they are candidates for a top-four finish Sevilla need to beat one of Spain's biggest sides and a win at home to Atletico should fit the bill.
With Lucas Ocampos and Javier Hernandez looking sharp, Sevilla has goals in them and this is one of the most interesting games of the weekend.
3. What is Griezmann's role at Barca?
Barca fans will have no doubt been happy to see teenager Ansu Fati start in their 5-1 thrashing of Valladolid on Tuesday night, but the absence of Antoine Griezmann was a surprise as the big money signing was on the subs' bench for much of the game.
It could have been just an issue of squad rotation from Barca coach Ernesto Valverde and it is very possible that he knows Fati will lift the crowd in the Camp Nou, while Griezmann offers the experience and willingness to drop deep that is important away from home.
Therefore if Griezmann is in the starting 11 away to Levante on Saturday then there is no 'Griezmann case' as some parts of the Spanish press are implying, however, if the Frenchman again starts on the sidelines, perhaps he should start to worry.
4. Vital game for Espanyol and Valencia
Espanyol looked to have improved since Pablo Machin replaced David Gallego as coach, but after a solid win away to Levante, they looked tired in their 3-0 defeat to Athletic Club Bilbao on Wednesday.
Saturday sees Wu Lei's side at home to Valencia, who have also struggled for results at the start of the season, and it could be that European commitments have placed a big strain on both squads.
The bad news for Espanyol is that they kick off second from bottom in the table and with another Europa League game next Thursday before visiting Atletico Madrid next week and failure to beat Valencia will probably extend their stay in the drop zone for a few more weeks. Enditem
