MADRID, March 7 (Xinhua) -- FC Barcelona need to overcome injuries to key players when they get muatchday 28 in La Liga underway at home to Mallorca on Friday night.

Barca's game has been brought forward to Friday night to give Xavi Hernandez's side the best chance of beating Napoli in next week's Champions League return leg, but injuries to Frenkie de Jong and Pedri in Bilbao last Sunday have dealt an important blow to the coach's plans.

It is no surprise that the midfield duo's return from injury just over a month ago coincided with an upturn in Barca's form. With Ferran Torres and Gavi still injured, Xavi has to find solutions against a Mallorca side that is likely to sit deep and look to hit them on the break and with set pieces.

Barca's season rests on them beating Mallorca to keep within touching distance of Real Madrid, but the club's economy also needs them to get past Napoli and Xavi has a delicate juggling act to do to avoid the campaign fizzling out before the middle of March.

Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone could be forgiven for asking why his side's game away to struggling Cadiz hasn't been brought forward as well, as Atletico look to overturn a 1-0 deficit to Inter Milan next week.

Simeone will take some consolation from the fact his side should have Antoine Griezmann available again after an ankle injury and that Cadiz have gone 23 games without a win and look increasingly doomed to relegation.

Second place Girona are at home to Osasuna on Saturday night and Michel Sanchez's side need to bounce back after their defeat in Mallorca last weekend.

Midfielder Yangel Herrera is a doubt for Girona with an ankle problem, but defender David Lopez is available after suffering a thigh injury.

Real Sociedad's season has fallen apart in the past 10 days, with a Copa del Rey semifinal defeat to Mallorca and their exit from the Champions League on Tuesday. Imanol Alguacil's team have slipped to seventh place in La Liga and are 10 points behind fifth place Athletic Club ahead of a visit to second from bottom Granada, whose coach Alexander Medina is in danger of the sack after last weekend's 5-1 thrashing in Villarreal,

Valencia also see Valencia, still reeling from the terrible knee injury suffered by Mouctar Diakhaby against Real Madrid, at home to Getafe as Jose Bordalas returns to face the club where he spent one season as coach.

Real Madrid entertain Celta Vigo on Sunday, with Jude Bellingham suspended and Celta coach Rafa Benitez returning to a ground where he had an unhappy spell as first team coach.

Athletic Club Bilbao recover Nico Williams and Dani Vivian after suspension and need to put Cup final thoughts to the back of their minds as they look to keep in touch with the top-four with a tricky visit to Las Palmas.

Betis are still without Isco, but Pablo Fornals has slotted well into their midfield as they entertain a Villarreal side that is unbeaten in their last seven games under Marcelino Garcia Toral.

Villarreal's Europa League clash in Marseille on Thursday is a factor that could aid Betis as it could leave some tired legs among the visitors.

Alaves play Rayo Vallecano with both sides needing a win, before Monday sees Sevilla aim to continue their recovery away to an Almeria side still searching for their first win of the campaign. Enditem

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