MADRID, Dec. 11 (Xinhua) -- The 13th round of games in La Liga promises to be unlucky for some as Real Madrid host their neighbors Atletico, while Barca need to recover after a dramatic week and Gaizka Garitano's job looks to be on the line again. Here are some things to look out for this weekend in Spain.
1. The Madrid derby promises drama
Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane has survived the first two match balls of a vital week with wins against Sevilla and Borussia Monchengladbach and his side now plays league leaders Atletico Madrid in arguably the toughest of their three games.
Real Madrid have shown they can raise their game under pressure, and that is what they will need to do against a rival that has won their last seven La Liga games and conceded just one goal in their last nine matches.
It's a game Real can't afford to lose. A win for Atletico in Valdebebas would put them nine points clear of their neighbors with a game in hand and probably put Zidane back in the spotlight.
2. Koeman needs to see improvements
In some ways, Barca coach Ronald Koeman is a lucky man, because the political and economic situation at the club ahead of the elections to choose a new president in February means he can't be sacked despite his side's horrible run of results and performances.
Tuesday's 3-0 home defeat was the latest in a long line of poor displays. More worrying than the result was the fact that several key players didn't turn up in the first 45 minutes.
With a home game against Levante on Sunday, Koeman now has to decide whether to stick with the veterans who have so far let him down, or to put faith in players such as Riqui Puig and Carles Alena, who might show more hunger than others who are clearly underperforming.
3. Last chance for Garitano?
This season has seen Athletic Club Bilbao coach Gaizka Garitano's job on the line on two separate occasions. On both occasions his team has responded, beating Sevilla and Betis to save him from the sack.
Last weekend's defeat (and especially the performance) at home to Celta has again put Garitano in the spotlight ahead of Saturday's visit to a Valencia missing key players from a squad that was already badly depleted over the summer.
Valencia coach Javi Gracia has got the best out of his youngsters this season, while Garitano has usually preferred to turn to experience. We will see which is the best recipe on Saturday.
4. Contrast of styles in Celta v Cadiz
Monday's game between Celta Vigo and Cadiz promises to produce a fascinating contrast of styles as Celta's aggressive pressing meets Cadiz's deep-seated defensive organization.
Cadiz's 2-1 win over Barca last weekend came after they had just 18 percent of possession as Messi and company struggled to break down Alvaro Cervera's brilliantly organized defense.
In contrast, Celta won in Bilbao by fielding five attack-minded players, pressing their rivals high up the field and making the most of the balls they robbed with space to advance into.
New Celta coach Eduardo Coudet has brought big changes to the side in just three games, and with Iago Aspas he also has a player able to win a game with a moment of magic. Enditem
