MADRID, Jan. 18 (Xinhua) -- Matchday 21 of La Liga this weekend sees both Real and Atletico Madrid have what should be relatively straightforward games, while FC Barcelona has a much tougher task as it looks to keep in the title hunt.

Real Madrid is at home to bottom of the table Almeria on Sunday, and although Almeria has improved under coach Gaizka Garitano, and took a well-deserved point from league leaders, Girona last weekend, it shouldn't has enough to trouble Real Madrid in the Santiago Bernabeu.

The only factor that could give Real Madrid problems is that it has its second derby against Atletico in a week on Thursday night in the Copa del Rey, while Almeria's early exit from the tournament means it has all week to prepare for the clash.

League leaders, Girona is also in action on Sunday at home to Sevilla, who is struggling just one point above the relegation zone after consecutive home defeats in La Liga.

Girona is affected by injuries to David Lopez (who is also suspended) and Eric Garcia, while key midfielder, Aleix Garcia is also suspended after his red card in Almeria.

Sevilla desperately needs points in La Liga and a defeat could drop it into the bottom three, but got a morale boost with its Copa del Rey win in Getafe on Tuesday night and coach Quique Sanchez Flores needs his players to build on that result.

Athletic Club Bilbao's season continued with a 2-1 win in the Basque derby at home to Real Sociedad last weekend and its 2-0 cup win at home to Alaves on Tuesday means Ernesto Valverde's side is unbeaten in 14 games ahead of Saturday's visit to Valencia.

Only a 97th minute goal from Alex Berenguer saved a point for Athletic in its home game against Valencia earlier this season, but Athletic has improved in defense since that game, while Valencia needs to react after its midweek cup exit at home to Celta on Wednesday night.

Barcelona returned from the Spanish Supercup in crisis after its 4-1 thrashing by Real Madrid and following Thursday's cup tie away to Unionistas, it travels to play away to Betis.

Betis has lost Eze Abde, Chadi Riad and Youssouf Sabaly to the African Cup of Nations and has Aitor Ruibal out injured, but will still be another serious test for Barcelona, who would only sink deeper into crisis if they fail to win.

The weekend kicks off with a huge relegation game as Alaves entertain third from bottom Cadiz. The visitors have not won in 15 La Liga matches and whatever happens, it looks as if Sergio Gonzalez will be sacked as coach afterwards.

Alaves coach Luis Garcia said before their cup exit in Bilbao that the opportunity to go eight points clear of the relegation zone was his side's priority and he reserved key players accordingly on Tuesday.

Villarreal and Mallorca play another game between two struggling sides, as Villarreal continues their struggles, with questions starting to be asked of Marcelino Garcia Toral, who is already their third coach this season.

Celta Vigo looks to be improving in recent weeks and will be optimistic of taking something from Real Sociedad, who desperately needs to close the gap on the top-four, and who has Umar Sadiq available after he left the African Cup with a suspected knee injury, which turned out to be virtually nothing.

Osasuna and Getafe will lick their respective wounds following cup defeats in El Sadar on Sunday, while Atletico Madrid is at home to second from bottom Granada on Monday.

Atletico has slipped to fifth in La Liga, while second from bottom Granada has spent heavily in the hope of escaping from the relegation zone. Enditem

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