MADRID, Dec. 10 (Xinhua) -- The Madrid derby between Real and Atletico Madrid is the highlight of the 13th round of matches in La Liga this weekend.
Atletico Madrid travel to Valdebebas as league leaders after their 2-0 win at home to Valladolid, and after both sides assured their place in the last 16 of the Champions League with convincing midweek performances.
Wednesday's 2-0 win over Borussia Monchengladbach lifted the pressure from Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane, whose job was thought to be on the line in the case of a defeat, but Real have shown time and again that they can perform under pressure and Saturday is another pressure game with Atletico six points clear of Real with a game in hand.
The round of matches kicks off on Friday night with struggling Valladolid and Osasuna, who slipped into the bottom three after last weekend's 2-0 defeat to Betis.
Athletic Club Bilbao coach Gaizka Garitano's job could be in danger again when his side travels to Valencia.
Athletic's 2-0 defeat at home to Celta left them too close to danger for comfort and with a difficult fixture schedule ahead, they need to take something from a rival missing Jose Luis Gaya, Toni Lato, Denis Cheryshev and possibly Lee Kang-in.
Getafe entertain Sevilla needing to return to form after a run of six games without a win. Pep Bordalas' side will be without the suspended Chema and Djene Dakonam after they were both sent off in last weekend's 3-0 defeat away to Levante.
Saturday ends with Huesca, who are still searching for their first win of the campaign, at home to an Alaves side unbeaten in their last six matches after last weekend's 0-0 draw at home to Real Sociedad.
Real Sociedad have another Basque derby on Sunday lunchtime when they face Eibar. The visitors have been much more effective away from their Ipurua Stadium so far this season with three wins on their travels and they will look to take advantage of tiredness from a rival that plays a vital Europa League game in Napoli on Thursday night.
Betis got back to winning ways against Osasuna, but have a difficult home game against third place Villarreal, despite the visitors missing striker Paco Alcacer through a muscle problem.
Granada's league form has dropped badly since the end of October, although they showed spirit in coming back from 2-0 down at home to Huesca a week ago to snatch a late point. Granada travel to a tough-to-beat Elche currently sitting mid-table with 14 points from 10 games.
Sunday's last game is in the Camp Nou, where FC Barcelona are in crisis after a dreadful week which saw them lose in Cadiz and beaten 3-0 at home to Juventus in the Champions League.
Barca entertain Levante 12 points behind Atletico Madrid in the title race. Coach Ronald Koeman has to consider changes as the pressure builds, but whether he will opt to give a chance to youngsters such as Riqui Puig remains to be seen. Samuel Umtiti could return in central defense and there is a chance Ousmane Dembele will be back from a muscle problem, but more than anything Koeman needs to see a different attitude from his players.
The round of matches ends on Monday when an improving Celta Vigo entertain Cadiz in a game that contrasts an open and attacking side with one that is very happy to sit deep and play on the break. Enditem
