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Old order look to establish supremacy in Spain's matchday 10

Xinhua, October 29, 2015 Adjust font size:

This weekend sees the 10th round of games in the BBVA Primera Liga with the Spanish Championship beginning to take on its familiar feel of Real and Atletico Madrid and FC Barcelona occupying the first three places in the table.

The democracy of the opening weeks of the season with sides such as Celta Vigo and Villarreal battling for top spot has been ended as the economic realities of the game have taken effect, as shown by Real Madrid's 3-1 win in Vigo a week ago.

Atletico are the side to get this weekend under way when they play away to Deportivo la Coruna on Friday night.

Atletico are gaining in confidence as their new signings such as Yannick Carrasco and Jackson Martinez adapt to the team, while Deportivo have slipped of late, taking just one point from their last two games.

Real Madrid are next to play, kicking off at home to struggling Las Palmas at what is becoming a suspiciously common 4pm kick off time.

While most sides find their kickoffs shunted around the weekend and around the clock, Real Madrid enjoy the luxury of playing their matches week in week out at the same time, with the subsequent advantages in helping the players' body clock adapt.

In playing terms, Gareth Bale and Sergio Ramos should be fit, while Luka Modric will also be able to play.

The game in the Bernabeu is directly followed by the Valencia derby as Levante visit Vaalencia's Mestalla stadium with both sides under immense pressure.

Last week's defeat to Atletico Madrid means the knives are again being sharpened for Valencia boss, Nuno Espiritu Santo, who must decide whether or not to recall the ostracized Alvaro Negrego, while Levante sacked Lucas Alcaraz as coach last weekend following a 4-0 defeat to Real Sociedad which saw them go bottom of the table.

Thursday saw Joan Francesc Ferrer 'Rubi' named as Alcaraz's successor and he has to lift the team for a vital match with more than local pride at stake.

Villarreal entertain Sevilla for what promises to be an open and attacking game in the El Madrid Stadium before Barcelona visit Getafe.

Barca are still looking way beyond par and Wednesday's 0-0 King's Cup draw away to third tier Villanovense only served to highlight the lack of depth in Luis Enrique's squad. He will be without the suspended Javier Mascherano and the injured Leo Messi for the trip to the south of Madrid, but Andres Iniesta could provide a much needed boost as he returns to first team action.

Saturday ends with David Moyes looking to see Real Sociedad take their first home win of the season as they entertain fourth placed Celta.

Sunday kicks off with the leagues two smallest club's Eibar and Rayo Vallecano going head to head in what promises to be a feisty match, while Granada coach Jose Ramon Sandoval is another coach whose job could be on the line should his side lose to Espanyol.

Sporting Gijon need to pick up the pace at home to an improving Malaga, while Athletic Club Bilbao aim to maintain their improved form away to Betis. Endi