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Madrid derby in week 7 in Spain, but it's Villarreal who defend the leadership

Xinhua, October 1, 2015 Adjust font size:

The Madrid derby between Atletico and Real Madrid is the highlight of week seven of the Spanish BBVA Primera Liga, as well as providing a barometer into the early season form of two of the favorites for the title.

Sunday sees Real Madrid, who were unspectacular in beating Malmo in the Champions League on Tuesday, cross town to take on Atletico, who have looked flat in recent games.

Real Madrid will have Ronaldo looking to score his 501st goal and overtake Raul Gonzalez as their all-time top scorer, while his side hopes to welcome James Rodriguez, Sergio Ramos and Gareth Bale back into their squad for what is usually a feisty encounter, while Atletico will look to Koke to provide some missing spark in midfield.

Should Real be able to inflict a third league defeat of the season at this early stage of the season on their neighbors, it would be a huge blow to Atletico's title hopes following last weekend's 1-0 loss away to Villarreal.

Barca travel to Sevilla on Saturday needing to show that they have not been as badly affected by the loss of Leo Messi as their displays against Las Palmas and Bayer Leverkusen might imply.

Although they won both games 2-1, Barca have been below their best, looking weak in defense, slugging in midfield and with doubts over goalkeeper Ter Stegen.

Claudio Bravo could return in Seville, while Luis Suarez, who has been the standout performer in the last two games, will be again called on to deliver, especially as Andres Iniesta has joined Barca's long injury list.

Sevilla also have injury problems of their own, but Unai Emery's side will view this as the chance to give some impetus to their season after beating Rayo a week ago.

Although those two games will probably capture the headlines, Villarreal go into the weekend as league leaders and on Sunday they have a short trip down the coast to face Levante, who are currently struggling in the relegation zone with just three points and no wins from their first six games.

Celta Vigo have the chance to go top on Friday night, however, as they look to carry on their unbeaten start to the campaign at home to Getafe. Celta's attacking trio of Fabian Orellanda, Iago Aspas and Nolito has been on fire so far this season, so expect goals in Vigo.

Saturday also sees Granada at home to a Deportivo la Coruna side that has looked vastly improved so far this year and Granada are under pressure with just one win during the campaign.

Las Palmas and Eibar play what could be an entertaining game in the Estadio Insular, while Malaga, still looking for their first goal after six games, will hope to find it at home to Real Sociedad, who also have trouble finding the opposition net. Espanyol and Sporting Gijon also play on Saturday.

Sunday kicks off with what promises to be an entertaining game as Rayo Vallecano play at home to Betis, while in the afternoon Athletic Club Bilbao aim to turn good performances into points at home to Valencia on Sunday, but with only four points so far, the Basque outfit really needs to turn performances into points. Endi