2 derbies and one absentee in Spain's matchday 6

There is no rest as the sixth round of games in the Spanish Liga Santander kicks off on Friday night to start a weekend which contains two derbies and has one very important absentee.

Matchday six kicks off with an Andalusian derby between Betis and Malaga. Betis are still smarting at the refereeing decision which cost them a draw against Sevilla on Tuesday, while Malaga are fresh from their first win of the season against Eibar.

Eibar are next into action in the early kick off on Saturday as they host Real Sociedad in the second Basque derby of the campaign.

Both sides can be reasonably pleased with their start to the season with Real Sociedad easing a few doubts with Wednesday's 4-1 thrashing of Las Palmas.

Leo Messi is the big-name absentee as Barcelona travel to play Sporting Gijon on the back of their 1-1 draw at home to Atletico Madrid.

A groin injury will keep the Argentinean out of action for at least three weeks and although Barca have more than enough talent to replace him, the question is how his absence will affect the morale of a side which is used to looking to him in difficult moments.

Arda Turan or Paco Alcacer should step into the side, while Sergio Busquets, fresh from signing a new contract, is fit after overcoming a dose of flu.

Second place Sevilla travel to face Athletic Club Bilbao, who have won their last three games and have beaten Sevilla in their last 6 visits to the San Mames stadium, before Real Madrid face a difficult trip to Las Palmas.

Las Palmas were well below their best in their defeat to Real Sociedad, but will look to react against a Madrid side without full back Marcelo and midfielder Casimiro and who left a few question marks hanging with their performance at home to Villarreal on Wednesday night.

Cristiano Ronaldo looked to be lacking fitness once again and it will be interesting to see if coach Zinedine Zidane is willing to give a start to striker Alvaro Morata and continue with James Rodriguez in an attacking midfield role.

Valencia claimed their first points of the season on Thursday and have little recovery time ahead of their visit to Leganes on Sunday lunchtime.

Leganes have won twice on the road, but have yet to dedicate a victory to their fans in the Butarque stadium.

Atletico Madrid were unhappy at being given a Sunday kick off ahead of their Champions League tie on Wednesday, but will be confident of all three points against a weak-looking Deportivo la Coruna.

Villarreal should take confidence from their point away to Real Madrid and are favorites against an Osasuna that is high on effort, but lacking in quality, before Espanyol and Celta Vigo both look for their second win of the week after claiming their first victories of the campaign in the midweek fixtures.

The round of games finishes on Monday when Alaves take on Granada whose coach Paco Jemez could be in danger of the sack if his side lose in Vitoria. Endit