MADRID, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- The 12th round of matches in La Liga sees both Real Madrid and FC Barcelona travel to the south of Spain, while league leaders Real Sociedad face a Basque derby against an in-form Alaves and Atletico Madrid welcome back Luis Suarez.
The weekend kicks off on Friday night with a revitalized Athletic Club Bilbao at home to Celta Vigo, who last week showed they can be an important attacking force under coach Eduardo Coudet after he fielded a highly attacking lineup for their 3-1 win against Granada.
Saturday's first game pits second from bottom Levante against Getafe.
Levante have not won in eight games and have drawn their last five games 1-1, while Getafe were held at home last weekend by Athletic Club to extend their winless run to five matches.
Real Madrid are next in action as they visit in-form Sevilla with Zinedine Zidane's job under threat after defeats to Alaves and Shakhtar Donetsk. Zidane will almost certainly be sacked if his side fail to beat Borussia Monchengladbach next Wednesday and the coach has to decide whether to rotate or play his strongest side in a league game he also can't afford to lose.
Sergio Ramos and Alvaro Odriozola may be fit, but Eden Hazard, Fede Valverde and Dani Carvajal all remain out through injury.
Sevilla were beaten 4-0 at home to Chelsea on Wednesday, but with his side already assured of a place in the last 16 of the Champions League, coach Julen Lopetegui rested seven first team regulars for the weekend.
Luis Suarez should return to add more attacking bite for Atletico Madrid as they entertain Valladolid on Saturday evening. Suarez has been sidelined for over two weeks with COVID-19 and although he may not start, he will be available to give the finishing touch Atletico have missed in recent games.
Atletico coach Diego Simeone will be without the injured Jose Gimenez and also has to decide whether to rest players ahead of their decisive Champions League tie in Salzburg next week.
It has been a good 10 days for Barca, who have not only been able to win while resting players in Europe, but also seen Antoine Griezmann recapture the form he showed at Atletico.
The Frenchman has scored three goals in three games and will also start when Ronald Koeman's men visit Cadiz.
Cadiz have four away wins this season, but have not won at home and seem to be losing steam after a positive return to the top-flight.
Sunday's big game sees Real Sociedad make the short trip to Vitoria to face a Deportivo Alaves side finding their feet under Pablo Machin. Alaves beat Real Madrid 2-1 last weekend and are unbeaten in their last five games, while Real Sociedad go into the game after playing Europa League football on Thursday.
Third placed Villarreal will face Elche on Sunday and are also handicapped by a long trip to Turkey on Thursday. Coach Unai Emery also loses Carlos Bacca with a muscle problem he picked up against Real Sociedad last weekend.
Osasuna are without a win in four games and face Betis, who have lost their last three matches while conceding 11 goals to place early pressure on coach Manuel Pellegrini. Sergio Canales and Aissa Mandi and Claudio Bravo all miss the trip north for various reasons.
Granada entertain a Huesca side still looking for their first win of the season, while the round of matches ends on Monday with Eibar searching for their first home win of the season against Valencia who are likely to be without Denis Cheryshev and Kang In Lee due to COVID-19. Enditem
