Atletico-Barca main course as La Liga returns to action

Spain's Primera Liga returns to action of Saturday with games that will make the average football fan's mouth water in anticipation of excitement and quite possibly, controversy.

The round of matches kicks off following the international break as Sevilla travel to Valencia to play Levante.

Sevilla need to recover following their 3-0 home defeat against Atletico Madrid, while Levante have just one point from their first two games of the season.

There is no doubt that the most interesting game of the weekend is on Saturday evening as two title contenders: Atletico Madrid and FC Barcelona meet in the Vicente Calderon.

Both sides have 6 points from their opening two matches, but while Atletico are at full strength and expecting big things from strikers Antoine Griezmann and Jackson Martinez, Barca have problems.

Coach Luis Enrique will only have one full training session with his squad ahead of the game as his players fly back after international commitments, while central defender Gerard Pique, who appears to have become the player everyone loves to hate, is still suspended.

Barca can expect a hostile welcome in the Calderon for a game which even at this early stage of the season looks vital.

Real Madrid are also in action and Keylor Navas will be back in goal for the first time after the club tried to sell him to Manchester United as part of the failed deal to sign David De Gea.

The trip to Barcelona, to face Espanyol should hold few terrors for Rafael Benitez's side, given that Espanyol always seem to fare badly against them and with Gareth Bale recovering his goal touch, the big question is whether or not Cristiano Ronaldo, who has looked out of sorts in early season, can do the same.

Valencia need to take three points from Sporting Gijon or pressure will start to grow on coach Nuno Espiritu Santo, while Saturday ends with Real Sociedad looking for their first goal of the season away to Betis, who lost their last game 5-0 away to Real Madrid.

Sunday starts with Granada at home to always impressive Villarreal, before Athletic Club Bilbao entertain Getafe in a game between the two bottom clubs in the table.

Athletic's early season has been hit by a long injury list, but coach Ernesto Valverde will hope the arrival of Raul Garcia will provide extra bite in his side's attack.

Early season table toppers, Celta Vigo will fancy their chances of making it three wins from three games when they play at home to recently promoted Las Palmas, while Eibar, who are currently second in the table travel to the south coast to face a Malaga side which lost key players during the summer transfer window.

The round of games finishes on Monday when Rayo Vallecano, who are used to 'different' kick off times play at home to an organized by dull Deportivo la Coruna. Endit