With the International break over, the 2021-22 La Liga season will pick up where it was halted a couple of weeks ago. Unfortunately, there will be four teams that will be forced to rest, as Sevilla, Barcelona, Villarreal, and Deportivo Alavés had to re-schedule their games after the activity that involved some of their finest players while away with their national teams.
Even if we will only have eight La Liga games this week, those being played promise to give fans their money's worth whether they watch the games live or on their TV sets. Teams such as Real Madrid, Atlético and Valencia will be the ones every fan will want to keep an eye on this week, especially since their matches promise to be the most interesting of the weekend in La Liga.
Here's what's in store for fans this week in the Spanish top-flight.
La Liga - League standings after Matchday 3
There are five teams with seven points in La Liga, but only three of them will be playing this weekend. It will be interesting to watch if these teams that are involved in the top five can maintain their unbeaten runs, and most of all, how Barcelona and Sevilla react to their wins once they are able to play their postponed matches.
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Top games to watch
Athletic Club vs Mallorca - The surprising team from Mallorca will try to keep up the good work when they visit Athletic, a team that is yet to be beaten this season and who won their first match of the campaign prior to the break. The main topic to focus on for this game will be if Mallorca's good form does not come to an end after their international players return.
Espanyol vs Atlético Madrid - Los Periquitos continue to face their usual rivals after spending some time in the Segunda División, and their first clash against a big team will come when they host Atlético. Simeone's men will surely want to see Antoine Griezmann back with the team once again, but this outing could prove tricky for them if they take things for granted when they take on the team that were crowned champions in the lower-tier category last season.
Real Madrid vs Celta Vigo - Los Blancos return to action with much to play for, especially after their narrow win agains Betis before the break. It is yet to be seen if Carlo Ancelotti chooses to field new signing Eduardo Camavinga or if he sticks to his usual squad, but if he chooses to do so, he must be wary of a team that has always made things difficult for the Spanish giants either at home or away from the Bernabeu.
La Liga - Who's in and who's out for Matchday 4
Athletic Club - Injured: Oihan Sancet, Yeray Álvarez, Peru Nolaskoain, Yuri Berchiche.
Atlético Madrid - Injured: Joao Félix, Héctor Herrera, Luis Suárez.
Valencia - No missing players.
Real Madrid - Injured: Luka Modric, Toni Kroos, Ferland Mendy, Nacho Fernández, Dani Ceballos.
