Matchday 8 in Spain sees Real Madrid at home to surprising Granada

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MADRID, Oct. 3 (Xinhua) -- This weekend sees the 8th round of matches in the Liga Santander before Spain's clubs go into the next international break.

The round of games kicks off on Friday as Betis look to return to form after their 5-1 thrashing away to Villarreal last weekend. Eibar are the visitors at the Benito Villamarin stadium with the Basque side travelling after winning their last two games to climb away from the bottom of the table.

Leganes look for their first win of the campaign when they entertain Levante on Saturday lunchtime.

Mauricio Pellegrino's side has just two points from their opening seven matches and another defeat could put the Argentinean's position in jeopardy with the international break traditionally a time that allows new coaches to bed in.

Saturday's biggest game sees Real Madrid entertain Granada in the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.

Real Madrid go into the game as league leaders, but their 2-2 draw at home to Bruges in the Champions League this week has once again raised questions over Zinedine Zidane's coaching.

Gareth Bale and James Rodriguez were both left out in midweek and will probably return to action against the surprise package of the season so far.

Granada were only promoted at the end of last season, but currently lie in second place with just one point less than their rivals and would go top if they can pull off another shock.

Valencia play at home to Alaves after a strange week which saw them become the first side to win in Bilbao for almost a year, before then crashing to a 3-0 defeat at home to Ajax in the Champions League.

Coach Albert Celades has still to convince the fans in the Mestalla Stadium after two draws and a defeat from his first three home games since replacing Marcelino Garcia Toral and Alaves, who themselves have struggled at the start to the season, could be the perfect rival.

Saturday also sees a solid Osasuna face a Villarreal side that looks to be improving week by week, before Sunday promises drama.

Espanyol coach David Gallego is another coach in danger of the sack if his side fails to win away to second from bottom Mallorca, while fourth from bottom Celta Vigo could also seek to replace Fran Escriba if they fail to beat Athletic Club Bilbao, who have three draws from their three away games so far this campaign.

Atletico Madrid visit mid-table Valladolid in a game which is likely to be settled by the odd goal, while Real Sociedad will hope to take advantage of Getafe's Europa League efforts on Thursday night when the two sides meet in San Sebastian.

Real Sociedad impressed even though they lost 3-2 to Sevilla last weekend and Getafe will have to work hard to keep out their impressive attacking trio of Mikel Oyarzabal, Willian Jose and Martin Odegaard, who has arguably been the best player in Spain this season.

Sevilla meanwhile travel to the Camp Nou, where Leo Messi and Luis Suarez will lead the Barca attack after combining in the 2-1 win at home to Inter Milan in the Champions League.

Barca have not been at their best this season, but Sevilla have a poor record in the Camp Nou and Barca have a 100 percent home record, winning all three league games and scoring 12 goals in the process in front of their fans. Enditem

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