Duel Of Contrasts To Highlight Weekend Games In Spain

The Spanish BBVA Primera Liga returns to action this weekend with perhaps the biggest 'David v Goliath' game the league has ever witnessed when Eibar entertain Real Madrid in their Ipurua Stadium.
Eibar in their first ever season among the elite, will take on Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale, James Rodriguez and company in their home ground, which has a capacity of just over 5,000, around 18 times less that of Real Madrid's Santiago Bernabeu.
There is also a huge gap in earnings between the two sides highlighted by the fact that Real Madrid star Ronaldo, earning as much in three days as Eibar's two central defenders, Borja Ekiza and Raul Navas earn in an entire season.
Nevertheless, Ipurua should prove to be one of Madrid's more complicated away games this campaign as Eibar seek to take advantage of a tight pitch and the absence of Luka Modric, who will be out of action for around three months after suffering ligament damage last week.
The round of matches kicks off on Friday night when Athletic Club Bilbao, who have not lost in their last four matches, entertain Espanyol, who were the first side to win a league game in the new San Mames Stadium.
As well as the Eibar-Real Madrid game, Saturday also sees Atletico Madrid at home to an in-form Malaga, who have won their last five matches. Atletico are likely to be without central defender, Joao Miranda, who returned from international duty with a muscle problem.
There will be expectation in the Camp Nou Stadium as fans look to see if Luis Enrique's side can return to form after poor displays against Celta and Almeria. Sevilla should prove tough rivals with Unai Emery's side fifth in the table, although they have taken just one point from their last five matches.
The return of loanees Gerard Deulofeu and Denis Suarez should also provide interest as both will be working to earn a return to the Camp Nou and what better way to do that then to perform well against the club that let you go?
Saturday's last game will also provoke a lot of interest and expect to see British journalists dispatched to Deportivo la Coruna's Riazor Stadium to witness the debut of former Manchester United boss, David Moyes as coach of Real Sociedad.
Both sides are struggling for points, but Real Sociedad, who defeated Atletico Madrid before the international break, will be looking to build on that and everyone will be keen to see what changes Moyes introduces in both team and tactics.
Sunday kicks off with what should be an entertaining game between Rayo Vallecano and Celta Vigo before the Valencia derby as Levante look to climb out of the relegation zone at home to their high-flying neighbors.
There is a battle against relegation as Elche take on a Cordoba side who have yet to win this season and both teams will see this as the chance to take three valuable points.
Villarreal should be favorites at home to Getafe, while the round of matches ends on Monday when Granada face Almeria in an Andalusian derby.