MADRID, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- Real Madrid has the chance to go top of La Liga for 24 hours if it wins in Villarreal on Saturday, while FC Barcelona loses Pedri for its home game against bottom of the table Oviedo. Here are some things to look out for in La Liga this weekend.
1. Can Villarreal perform against Arbeloa's Real Madrid?
Villarreal is currently third in La Liga and still has an outside title chance, but Marcelino Garcia Toral's side lost away to both Real and Atletico Madrid and at home to FC Barcelona in the first half of the season and needs to step up its game against its three main rivals.
Real Madrid thrashed Monaco 6-1 in the Champions League on Tuesday, which should have strengthened Alvaro Arbeloa's position as coach. However, Monaco was very poor in defense and Villarreal should be stronger.
Saturday's game is therefore a good test of Villarreal's ambitions and of Real Madrid's recovery.
2. Pedri a loss for Barcelona
Barcelona won away to Slavia Prague on Wednesday to keep a top-eight finish in the Champions League group in its own hands. However, that win came at a price when Spain international midfielder, Pedri suffered a hamstring injury that will keep him out of action for at least three weeks.
Pedri is vital for Barcelona's creative midfield play and will be missed against bottom of the table Oviedo that has gained a competitive edge since Guillermo Almada took over as coach.
Oviedo has pressed high up the field since Almada took over, but can be expected to sit deeper against Barcelona and close down spaces and although Lamine Yamal will benefit from his midweek rest, Pedri's creative vision would have been very useful.
3. Cup run can't hide Alaves under pressure
Deportivo Alaves is the only side still in the Copa del Rey quarterfinals to have beaten two top-flight rivals in Sevilla and Rayo Vallecano.
Coach Eduardo Coudet now needs his side to show that form in La Liga after a run of four defeats and a draw in its last five games has seen the team from Vitoria-Gasteiz slip into the bottom three.
Coudet has tried to establish a more possession-based game, but at times a team with indubitably talented players such as Denis Suarez, Carles Alena and Pablo Ibanez has lacked identity and Alaves looks better with powerful striker Lucas Boye and winger Carlos Vicente in the side.
Betis will pose a big threat on Saturday and a defeat could put Coudet in danger, despite the Cup run.
4. Real Sociedad against Celta: A game to enjoy
Real Sociedad entertains Celta Vigo on Sunday in a game between two sides in excellent form.
Real Sociedad has winger Take Kubo injured and Carlos Soler is suspended, but the side from San Sebastian has its morale sky-high after riding its luck to beat Barcelona last week and coach Pellegrino Matarazzo can bring Ander Barrenetxea and Jon Gorrotxategi into his side.
Celta travels to the Anoeta Stadium seventh in the table after five wins and a draw in its last six games and playing excellent football led by strikers Borja Iglesias and Pablo Duran, along with winger Bryan Zaragoza, making it one of the standout fixtures of the weekend. ■
