MADRID, Jan. 19 (Xinhua) -- The 21st round of La Liga comes sandwiched by the round-of-16 and the quarterfinals of the Copa del Rey. Here are some things to look out for this weekend.

1. Copa del Rey hangovers?

Real Madrid, FC Barcelona and Atletico Madrid all played intense Copa del Rey ties on Thursday night, with the game between Atletico and Real Madrid once again stretching to 120 minutes.

Although Real Madrid play bottom side Almeria, and Atletico visit second-from-bottom Granada, there is a chance that their two 120-minute games in eight days could take a toll against sides who have had all week to prepare, while Atletico and Barca will also have to think about next week's quarterfinals.

Given Almeria and Granada's league positions, a surprise is still unlikely, but if one is going to happen, this could be the time.

2. Betis to measure depth of Barca crisis

FC Barcelona had to work hard to qualify for the quarterfinals of the Copa del Rey away to third-tier Unionistas de Salamanca on Thursday, even falling behind to the side two levels below them.

Although Barca did enough to qualify, their vices from recent games were once again on view, with lapses in defense and sluggish movement of the ball in midfield.

Sunday's visit to Real Betis should be a stiffer test for Xavi's side, and although Betis will be missing players such as Ayoze Perez, Aitor Ruibal, Guido Rodriguez and Joan Miranda, they should be able to cause Xavi's side more problems than Unionistas.

Thursday's win may have eased Barca's crisis, but their current form means another setback might not be far away.

3. Athletic look to maintain form away to Valencia

Third-placed Athletic Bilbao travel to Valencia looking for a fifth consecutive league win, and Ernesto Valverde's side also progressed to the quarterfinals of the Copa del Rey with a comfortable win at home to Alaves.

Athletic are arguably playing the best football in La Liga at the moment, and look to be physically stronger and quicker than many of their rivals.

That could be a factor in Valencia, as Valverde not only rested several key players on Tuesday, but his team have 24 hours more to prepare for the game than Valencia, who were knocked out of the cup by Celta Vigo.

Valencia impressed in a 2-2 draw in Bilbao earlier this season but used a lot of energy on Wednesday, and with players such as Nico Williams and Gorka Guruzeta likely to test their defense, that could be significant.

4. Key weekend in the relegation zone

The round of games looks as if it could have a major impact on the bottom three, with Almeria away to Real Madrid, while Granada also have a difficult home game against Atletico Madrid.

Third-from-bottom Cadiz take a run of 15 games without a win to Alaves, who are five points above them, while struggling Mallorca and Celta have home matches.

If Almeria and Granada lose, they will be further cut adrift, while a win for Alaves would sink Cadiz and widen the gap opening between the bottom three and the rest. Enditem

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