Preview: Barcelona visits Elche as Real Madrid looks to recover from Euro setback in La Liga

MADRID, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- FC Barcelona visits Elche in the 22nd round of games, while Real Madrid plays a derby at home to Rayo Vallecano at the weekend in La Liga.

Pedri is the only injury for Barcelona that visits Elche on Saturday night after having to work hard to assure a top-eight finish in the Champions League group at home to Copenhagen on Wednesday.

Elche's passing game is close to the football Barcelona plays and coach Eder Sarabia was assistant to Quique Setien during Setien's brief spell at the Camp Nou, but his side has struggled for form with two draws and two defeats in the last two games.

Real Madrid entertains Rayo Vallecano on Sunday with Rayo slipping into the struggle to avoid relegation after its defeat to Osasuna last weekend.

Real Madrid plays in front of its fans after Wednesday's painful 4-2 defeat to Benfica which means Alvaro Arbeloa's side has to play an extra qualifying round to reach the last-16 of the Champions League, which is arguably the last thing the players need after an intense campaign.

Levante has improved since Luis Castro arrived as first team coach with its new spirit highlighted by last week's last-gasp win at home to Elche. Atletico Madrid is next up, with Diego Simeone's side moving up to third last weekend, but then slipping to a painful home defeat to Bodo/Glint that means that like Real Madrid it will need a play-off to reach the Champions League last-16.

The weekend kicks off with Alaves away to fifth place Espanyol, whose excellent season has been halted by three defeats and a draw in five games.

Alaves sold winger Carlos Vicente to Birmingham City in the week and although the sale means a big profit, the club could miss the influence of a regular goalscorer.

Oviedo is at home to Girona in a vital game for the home side who goes into the weekend nine points from safety despite improving since the arrival of Guillermo Almada as coach, while Osasuna looks to build on last weekend's first away win of the season with a home game against Villarreal that has slipped to fourth after consecutive league defeats.

An improving Valencia that has signed Umar Sadiq, Unai Nunez and Guido Rodriguez in January, is at home to Betis, which will allow Rodriguez to face one of his former clubs.

Getafe battled to a draw away to Girona last weekend and has a difficult home game to Celta Vigo without the suspended Pere Milla, who is so vital from set pieces.

Sunday sees a dramatic Basque derby between Athletic Club Bilbao and Real Sociedad which comes just four days after Athletic's exit from the Champions League.

A long injury list, including Nico and Inaki Williams, Benat Prados and Aymeric Laporte has dragged Athletic into the relegation battle with just one point from the last 15 and midfielder Oihan Sancet was added to the list on Wednesday night.

In contrast, Real Sociedad is flying under new coach Pellegrino Matarazzo with three wins and a draw since the American took charge. The side from San Sebastian has its morale in the clouds for a trip to the San Mames stadium where it probably arrives as favorite.

The last game of the weekend sees third from bottom Mallorca at home to Sevilla with both teams locked into the relegation struggle. ■