Matchday 16 of La Liga gets underway on Friday, sandwiched between the third round of the Copa del Rey and next week's Supercup in Saudi Arabia.

There are two games on Friday, starting with bottom of the table Elche at home to Celta Vigo.

Both sides were knocked out of the Cup during the week, with Celta falling away to Espanyol, while Elche, who have just four points all season, saw their poor campaign get worse with a 1-0 defeat away to third tier Ceuta.

Valencia had no problems in cruising into the last-16 of the Cup and they prepare for their trip to Saudi Arabia with a home game against struggling Cadiz.

Edinson Cavani was rested in midweek and the striker will lead the Valencia attack, hoping to end a curious statistic that shows that all five of his goals so far this campaign have come in games Valencia have failed to win.

Real Madrid prepare for the Supercup with a home game against Villarreal on Saturday.

Carlo Ancelotti's side has not been at their best in their return to action, needing two late goals to beat Valladolid last week and only winning 1-0 away to fourth-tier Cacereno in the Cup.

Karim Benzema scored twice in Valladolid and although Dani Carvajal is a doubt, Lucas Vazquez will provide cover for Real Madrid at right back.

Mallorca and Valladolid play a game between two sides that look reasonably comfortable, although Mallorca won't have been happy to play extra time before winning their Cup game away to Pontevedra on Wednesday night.

Espanyol will be boosted by last weekend's draw away to Barcelona and their Cup win against Celta and they face another Catalan derby when Girona visit their stadium.

Espanyol are still just one point above the relegation zone and will once again rely on their striker Joselu, who has eight goals so far this season.

Mikel Oyarzabal will continue his return to full fitness when third place Real Sociedad visit Almeria aiming for a fifth consecutive win in all competitions. Led by midfielder Brais Mendez, the side from San Sebastian has been in excellent form recently and looks to be the only realistic alternative to Barca and Real Madrid in La Liga title race.

Rayo Vallecano were dumped out of the Cup by Sporting Gijon in midweek, although coach Andoni Iraola probably won't mind as it eases the pressure on a limited squad that is again overperforming in La Liga.

Betis visit Rayo's Vallecas Stadium, with the game sandwiched between their Cup tie on Thursday and a visit to Saudi Arabia for the Supercup. Luis Felipe's suspension adds to Manuel Pellegrini's problems in defense, with Youssouf Salaby out with a muscle problem.

Sevilla sailed through their Copa del Rey tie with Linares 5-0, but are still in the bottom three in La Liga, with just two league wins all campaign and they desperately need all three points from their home match with Getafe.

Robert Lewandowski will finally miss Barcelona's visit to Atletico Madrid after his three-game ban was ratified during the week and the Polish striker will be a huge loss for coach Xavi Hernandez.

Jordi Alba is also suspended for the game and youngster Alex Balde will step in at left back.

Memphis Depay and Ferran Torres both fired blanks as Barca needed extra time against third tier Intercity on Wednesday, while the good news was the return to action of defender Ronald Araujo, who will add some steel to their defense.

Atletico coach Diego Simeone will have to decide whether Joao Felix starts for his side, who will feel they have a chance to take a step forward in their season.

The round of games ends on Monday when Athletic Club Bilbao entertain Osasuna in what promises to be a physical Basque derby.

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