DPA
Barcelona
Barcelona and Real Madrid are back in action in La Liga this week and they have ground to make up after their Clasico postponement on Saturday.
Ernesto Valverde’s Barcelona host Valladolid having lost top spot to high-flying Granada.
The Catalans are second but should have their strongest team out for Tuesday’s game despite Ousmane Dembele being suspended and central defender Samuel Umtiti still struggling with a knee injury.
Sergio Roberto is back to contest right-back spot with Nelson Semedo and Gerard Pique returns from suspension to partner Clement Lenglet in centre-defence.
Lionel Messi will be ready to start up-front alongside Luis Suarez and Antoine Griezmann.
In an interview with TyC Sports in Argentina the forward has spoken about his playing style, admitting: "If I go a long time without touching the ball I drift out of the game, I prefer always to be close to the ball.”
Real face Leganes at the Santiago Bernabeu, with the visitors coming off their first season win, 1-0 over Mallorca.
Luis Cembranos took charge of the game after Mauricio Pellegrino parted company with the club last week.
"It was an unforgettable experience,” said the B-team coach of the chance to take charge of the first team.
Asked if he wanted the job permanently he said: "I am employee of the club and I am happy to be at Leganes.
"I am convinced we have the quality to improve. There are still 84 points to play for.”
Real could have Gareth Bale back in attack. The forward has missed the last two games with injury but should return to go in search of his first league goal at home since last March.
Leaders Granada are also in the city of Madrid to take on Getafe.
"It’s great that we are in this situation; we just need to enjoy it,” coach Diego Martinez said after the 1-0 win over Betis on Sunday that put them top.
"I am very proud of the players but we have to keep going. In football you can only live by the present, not the past.”
Granada were not the only team at the weekend to take full advantage of the fact that Barcelona and Real Madrid were not playing because of the tense political situation in Catalonia.
Real Sociedad went third with a 1-0 win over Celta Vigo. They take on Levante at home.
Sevilla moved into fifth place when they beat Getafe and they can continue their good run away to Valencia.
That fixture has now taken on huge significance for Valencia. Alberto Celades’ team lost away to Osasuna and are now in the bottom half of the table.
The pick of the remaining games sees Betis face Celta Vigo at home. Alaves host Atletico Madrid, Espanyol go to Athletic Bilbao, Eibar meet Villarreal.
Barcelona
Barcelona and Real Madrid are back in action in La Liga this week and they have ground to make up after their Clasico postponement on Saturday.
Ernesto Valverde’s Barcelona host Valladolid having lost top spot to high-flying Granada.
The Catalans are second but should have their strongest team out for Tuesday’s game despite Ousmane Dembele being suspended and central defender Samuel Umtiti still struggling with a knee injury.
Sergio Roberto is back to contest right-back spot with Nelson Semedo and Gerard Pique returns from suspension to partner Clement Lenglet in centre-defence.
Lionel Messi will be ready to start up-front alongside Luis Suarez and Antoine Griezmann.
In an interview with TyC Sports in Argentina the forward has spoken about his playing style, admitting: "If I go a long time without touching the ball I drift out of the game, I prefer always to be close to the ball.”
Real face Leganes at the Santiago Bernabeu, with the visitors coming off their first season win, 1-0 over Mallorca.
Luis Cembranos took charge of the game after Mauricio Pellegrino parted company with the club last week.
"It was an unforgettable experience,” said the B-team coach of the chance to take charge of the first team.
Asked if he wanted the job permanently he said: "I am employee of the club and I am happy to be at Leganes.
"I am convinced we have the quality to improve. There are still 84 points to play for.”
Real could have Gareth Bale back in attack. The forward has missed the last two games with injury but should return to go in search of his first league goal at home since last March.
Leaders Granada are also in the city of Madrid to take on Getafe.
"It’s great that we are in this situation; we just need to enjoy it,” coach Diego Martinez said after the 1-0 win over Betis on Sunday that put them top.
"I am very proud of the players but we have to keep going. In football you can only live by the present, not the past.”
Granada were not the only team at the weekend to take full advantage of the fact that Barcelona and Real Madrid were not playing because of the tense political situation in Catalonia.
Real Sociedad went third with a 1-0 win over Celta Vigo. They take on Levante at home.
Sevilla moved into fifth place when they beat Getafe and they can continue their good run away to Valencia.
That fixture has now taken on huge significance for Valencia. Alberto Celades’ team lost away to Osasuna and are now in the bottom half of the table.
The pick of the remaining games sees Betis face Celta Vigo at home. Alaves host Atletico Madrid, Espanyol go to Athletic Bilbao, Eibar meet Villarreal.