Spanish league promises merry-go-round at the top

Spanish Primera Liga promises to be an interesting viewing this weekend as several changes are predicted at the top of the table with the leadership likely to change hands at least twice in the 11th round of the football competition.

With five sides (Real Madrid, Valencia, Atletico Madrid, Barca and Sevilla) within just two points of each other, any slip up with be punished with a drop down the table, while a win could momentarily lift a side to the top, reports Xinhua.

Barcelona are the first team likely to benefit and despite having been given little time to recover from Wednesday's Champions League 2-0 away to Ajax, Luis Enrique's side will return to the top of the table they vacated after last weekend's home defeat to Celta, if they win Saturday afternoon away to Almeria.

Almeria have not won at home all season and two questions remain to be answered in the game -- whether Luis Suarez can score his first goal for the club in his fourth appearance and whether Lionel Messi can net the two goals he needs to become the highest scorer in the history of the league.

If Barcelona win they would leapfrog Atletico, Valencia and Real Madrid, although Real Madrid could overtake them if they are able to win at home to Rayo Vallecano in a game which kicks off two hours after Barcelona's match.

Gareth Bale is likely to return to the Real Madrid side with James Rodriguez likely to step down despite some good displays during Bale's absence through injury.

Rayo are known for their cavalier approach to the game, which means they will travel to the Santiago Bernabeu to attack their rivals.

The side from the south of Madrid tend to score at least once against their more famous opponents, but Real Madrid usually score heavily against sides that leave wide open spaces in defence for Bale, Ronaldo and Karim Benzema to exploit.

Saturday also sees Getafe at home to Elche, while Granada travel to face an in-form Celta Vigo with coach Joaquin Caparros' position questioned after a poor run of form in recent matches.

Malaga can also take a step up the table if they are able to defeat an Eibar side that showed their personality with a 3-2 win away to Rayo Monday.

The battle for the leadership will continue Sunday as Sevilla play at home to Levante at midday.

Unai Emery's side would have gone top last week had they won in Bilbao and will look to take that frustration out on a side second from bottom of the table.

Valencia are at home to Athletic Bilbao, who went out of the Champions League Wednesday as coach Ernesto Valverde rested key players. Valencia have won all five of their home games, while Athletic have won their last two in the league.

Espanyol entertain Villarreal before Real Sociedad, who are currently without a coach after sacking Jagoba Arrasate a week ago, are at home to Atletico Madrid. Atletico are clear favourites against a side that is lacking morale, but would do well to take note that Real Sociedad's only win this season was a 4-2 triumph against Real Madrid.

--Indo-Asian news Service

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