Real Madrid's absence allows rivals that chance to pull clear in Spain's matchdday 16

MADRID, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- With Real Madrid away at the World Club Championships and their Liga Santander game away to Leganes subsequently postponed, the forthcoming weekend allows the sides ahead of them in the table to stretch the gap at the top of the classification.

Friday marks the start of nine consecutive days of league football in Spain which ends on December 23rd when Real Madrid entertain Barcelona in the 'Classico' in the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.

The first game in that marathon organized by LaLiga sees Sevilla, still reeling from their 5-0 thrashing away to Real Madrid last weekend, entertain Levante, who have just one win in 10 games and have slipped dangerously close to the relegation zone.

The Basque derby between Athletic Club Bilbao and Real Sociedad kicks off Saturday's games with Athletic looking to continue an upturn in results against a rival that is leaking too many goals.

The action continues in the Basque country as second place Valencia travel to face an Eibar side unbeaten in four games and who are sure to put up stiff resistance in their small Ipurua Stadium.

Valencia will be without the suspended Simone Zaza and the injured Jeison Murillo and Goncalo Guedes and their squad depth will once again be tested by Eibar's intensity.

Atletico Madrid are unbeaten all season and will expect to maintain that record at home to Alaves. Atletico are still waiting on the fitness of Antoine Griezmann and Saul Niguez, although both should be fit for Saturday.

Alaves are still in the relegation zone but have won their last two games since Abelardo Fernandez took over as coach with striker Ibai Gomez netting four goals in those games as the side showed a more attacking attitude than they did under Gianni de Biasi and Atletico should therefore not underestimate them.

Barcelona are at home to Deportivo la Coruna on Sunday evening in a game where midfielder Sergio Busquets will have to avoid seeing a yellow card unless he wants to miss the trip to the Bernabeu through suspension.

Deportivo are another team that have improved in recent games and Barca can expect the side coached by a former Barca player in Cristobal Parralo to apply pressure high up the park as they did in last weekend's win against Leganes.

The big question for Barca is whether coach Ernesto Valverde will continue with four men in midfield or to give another start to Paco Alcacer who was decisive after coming on as a substitute in Villarreal.

Girona and Getafe kick off Sunday in what promises to be an intense game between two teams promoted last season, while Celta's home game against Villarreal should be entertaining as the home side continue to improve despite losing to Valencia last week.

Las Palmas will feel they have the chance of a vital win at home to an Espanyol side that have entered into depression following a home defeat to Girona and the round of matches ends on Monday with a derby between Malaga and Betis, with Betis coach Quique Setien needing a good result to stop doubts about his future at the club. Enditem