Sunday a big day in Spanish Liga matchday 7

Spain's big guns will have to wait until Sunday before playing their matches in the seventh round of games in the Spanish Liga Santander.

Atletico Madrid, fresh from a hard-won but morale-boosting victory over Bayern Munich in the Champions League, visit a Valencia side still under the guidance of interim coach Voro after the sacking of Pako Ayestaran a fortnight ago.

Voro's arrival has seen Valencia win their last two matches, and it will be a tough test for Atletico, who have nevertheless won their last six games in all competitions.

On paper, Real Madrid have a more straightforward task when they host Eibar, but Zinedine Zidane's side goes into the match without a win in its last three games, and will want to hit the ground running against a side that is once again punching well above its weight.

Madrid claimed a good draw away to Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League on Tuesday, but the game once again highlighted defensive frailties, with Sergio Ramos once again looking well below his best.

Casimiro and Marcelo remain out due to injury, while Mateo Kovacic could well be given another chance in midfield following some decent displays this season.

Barcelona are the last side in action, and the Catalans will hope that Sunday's trip to face an improving Celta Vigo will be their last game without Leo Messi, who is out with a groin injury.

Celta have also improved after a slow start to the season, and nobody in the Barca camp will have forgotten how they inflicted a 4-1 defeat on the reigning champions last season.

Barca had to dig deep to win in Germany on Wednesday night, and Luis Enrique will make changes. Those could include players such as Andre Gomes coming into the side for a match where they cannot allow points to escape if they want to remain one point behind Real Madrid.

The round of matches kicks off on Friday night with Betis travelling to play a Real Sociedad side that has so far to convince this season.

Sunday also sees Athletic Club Bilbao look for their fifth consecutive league win as they travel to face a Malaga side that has so far failed to inspire in Juande Ramos' second spell at the club.

Saturday begins with Leganes travelling to face Granada who sacked coach Paco Jemez after just six games in charge on Wednesday.

Granada will be led by B-team coach Lluis Planaguma as the search continues for a permanent replacement for Jemez, whose first task will be to try and steer the side to its first win of the season.

Sevilla will be favorites against Deportivo Alaves, who have adapted well on their return to the top-flight, while Osasuna face a difficult task as they look for their first win of the campaign at home to a free-flowing Las Palmas, who last week drew at home to Real Madrid.

Finally, Deportivo la Coruna also need to show an improvement when Sporting Gijon visit the Riazor Stadium. Endit