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Non-stop action as Spanish Liga prepares for matchday 5

Xinhua, September 19, 2016 Adjust font size:

One round of games in Spain's Primera Liga has come to a conclusion just as the next kicks off.

This season's fixture calendar means that match-days four, five and six run into each other without a day's break, giving fans 11 days of continual football, but causing a headache for coaches, who have to decide whether or not to rotate their squads.

Wednesday is the big day in the week as Barcelona entertain Atletico Madrid in a game between two sides who are among the favorites for the title and who have hit form after earlier worrying results.

Barca have reacted in fine style to their home defeat to Alaves, beating Celtic 7-0 and then winning 5-1 away to Leganes, while Atletico got over two draws in their first two games by winning 4-0 away to Celta Vigo and then defeating Sporting Gijon 5-0 at the weekend.

The news that Diego Simeone has reduced the length of his contract with the club seems to act as a spur to his players. This includes Antoine Griezmann, who just a week ago explained that he only signed a contract extension to continue working with the coach, acting in the role of team leader with four goals in the last two league games.

Real Madrid are also in action on Wednesday as they entertain Villarreal, who are back on track after a difficult start to the season. Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane will hope to have both Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale available after both rested at the weekend with flu and a minor hip injury, respectively.

The round of matches kicks off on Tuesday with the always-feisty Sevilla derby as Sevilla entertain Betis, while under-pressure Malaga look for their first win of the season when Eibar are the visitors.

Celta aim for their first victory of the campaign at home to Sporting Gijon, while Las Palmas aim to continue their excellent start to the season away to a Real Sociedad side that has so far looked unconvincing. Granada also need to improve when they take on Athletic Club Bilbao.

Thursday's games see Osasuna and Espanyol play in the El Sadar Stadium, still searching for their first wins of the season, while Deportivo la Coruna and Leganes play in the Riazor Stadium.

Finally, expect tension in the Mestalla Stadium as bottom of the table Valencia face Alaves.

The pressure is mounting on Valencia coach Pako Ayestaran after four defeats from as many games. Failure to beat the newly-promoted side could see him become the latest in a long line of Valencia coaches to be sacked.

Alaves have shown themselves to be a tight and compact side, as demonstrated by their win away to FC Barcelona. Coach Mauricio Pellegrino also has much to prove, given that he himself was sacked by Valencia four years ago. Enditem