Squad depth to be tested in Spain as top three have one eye on Europe

The top three in Spain's BBVA Primera Liga will think about squad rotations in the coming weekend's round of matches, but none of them can afford to slip up after last week saw the title race become that bit tighter.

Real Madrid's win away to Barca last Saturday saw them close to within seven points of the league leaders while Atletico Madrid are now just six off the top.

With seven games remaining in the season, that would normally mean each of the three giving everything in the title race, but European results this week mean they will go into the weekend with one eye on the following week's Champions League clashes.

Real Madrid will need an epic fightback to come back from their 2-0 defeat away to Wolfsburg, but coach Zinedine Zidane will feel confident that even if he rests key players he should have enough in his squad to beat Eibar as the smallest club in the league visit the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.

Players such as Lucas Vazquez, Isco and James Rodriguez could all be in line for a start with young striker, Borja Mayoral called up for cover if Karim Benzema's knee injury keeps him sidelined.

Atletico Madrid lost 2-1 away to Barca on Tuesday and have slightly longer to recover ahead of Wednesday's return leg, so coach Diego Simeone may be tempted to stick with a more typical starting 11 as his side visit Espanyol on Saturday.

Stefan Savic could be in line for a recall in central defense if he has shaken off recent injury problems, while Fernando Torres, who will be suspended in the Champions League, should also start.

Barcelona know they will have a difficult trip to the Vicente Calderon when they face Atletico, but first up is the job of retaining their six point lead at the top of the table. The trip to San Sebastian to face Real Sociedad promises to be a tricky one for Luis Enrique's men, who lost in the Anoeta season last season and have not had good results in recent years.

Barca have not looked their best since the international break and once again the issue is who the coach will opt to rest, although it is unlikely that any of his attacking trio of Leo Messi, Luis Suarez or Neymar start on the bench.

Andres Iniesta and Ivan Rakitic may be rested, which could give a chance to Sergi Roberto and Rafinha, who made his long awaited return from injury in midweek.

Other games this weekend see a southern derby between Granada and Malaga on Friday night while Betis aim to assure their Primera Liga survival at home to bottom of the table, Levante.

Sunday sees drama as second from bottom Sporting Gijon are at home to Celta, before the drama heightens as Valencia, who are dropping like a stone, entertain Sevilla, who have yet to win away this season. Defeat for Valencia would make relegation a very real prospect and there will be nerves in Mestalla.

Getafe have taken just two points from 11 games and will be lucky to change that run away to Villarreal before Athletic Club entertain Rayo Vallecano in what promises to be an open game before the round of matches ends on Monday when Deportivo face Las Palmas. Endi