MADRID, Dec. 6 (Xinhua) -- The 16th round of games in Spain's Liga Santander this weekend sees both FC Barcelona and Real Madrid play what look to be two straightforward games, while there is a vital match in the battle to avoid relegation. Here are some things to look out for this weekend in Spain.
1 Espanyol to suffer in the Bernabeu
Espanyol coach Pablo Machin publically questioned the attitude of some of his players after watching them collapse to a 4-2 home defeat to 10-man Osasuna last weekend, but if he is hoping for a reaction, he probably won't see it in Saturday's visit to play Real Madrid.
Espanyol have a dreadful recent record against Real Madrid, losing seven of their last eight games against them and scoring just three goals in the process, with two of those coming in a 4-2 defeat to Madrid in January.
Real Madrid have scored 24 goals in those 8 games and are currently in their best of the season, so don't expect any surprises in the Bernabeu.
2 Messi to celebrate against Mallorca?
Leo Messi scored the winning goal as FC Barcelona beat Atletico Madrid 1-0 last weekend before jetting off to pick up his sixth Balon d'Or award on Monday.
Barca play at home to Mallorca on Saturday and should have few problems in beating the team that currently lies fourth from bottom and who could kick off in the Camp Nou in the relegation zone if Celta Vigo win away to Leganes earlier in the day.
Although he missed the first month of the season with a calf injury Messi is now back to his best with 11 goals from 14 games and he will dedicate his latest Balon d'Or to the fans before kick off on Saturday night. It is just the sort of thing that will inspire him to another match-winning performance.
3 Parejo to shine in the Valencia derby
Valencia captain Dani Parejo has been the creative force in his side's midfield for several years now, even if some of the fans have not always appreciated him.
He will play his 356th game for the club when Valencia make the short trip across town to play Levante in the city derby.
Levante have been tough to beat in the Ciudad de Valencia stadium and currently sit just two places and three points behind Valencia. Nobody has played more Valencia derbies than Parejo, who has faced Levante on 13 occasions, scoring three goals in the process and he can be expected to lead from the front this weekend as well.
4 Drama in Butarque
The game between bottom of the table Leganes and third from bottom Celta promises to be one of the tensest of the weekend.
Both sides have improved since appointing new coaches in Javier Aguirre and Oscar Garcia, with Leganes unlucky to suffer narrow defeats at home to Barcelona and away to Sevilla, while Celta were unlucky to be held at home to Valladolid last weekend.
However, improved performances without wins are worth nothing to sides in the relegation zone and Saturday is the time both teams have to start getting points in the bag.
