MADRID, Nov. 6 (Xinhua) -- The 12th round of matches in La Liga comes just ahead of the third international break of the season.
That could be bad news for coaches whose clubs could be considering a change of direction to avoid a long battle against relegation.
Girona coach Michel Sanchez looks to be in the most danger with his side bottom of La Liga with just seven points after last weekend's 2-1 defeat in Getafe.
Last season Girona was playing in the Champions League, but has struggled for the past 12 months and failure to win at home to an impressive Alaves that has the joint best defensive record in Spain, could see the club part ways with the coach who earned it promotion and took it to Europe.
Jagoba Arrasate at Mallorca will also be keeping his fingers crossed for a win as his team faces an in-form Getafe that has climbed to seventh in the table and is looking to take three consecutive wins for the first time in five years.
Mallorca has struggled for form this season and defeat in what is likely to be a close affair, perhaps decided by goals from set pieces, could also see Mallorca consider a change in the dugout.
Valencia coach Carlos Corberan should have some credit after saving the club from relegation after replacing Ruben Baraja last season, but a run of four defeats and just two draws from six games has dropped Valencia into the relegation zone, and another defeat at home to a Betis that has climbed up to fifth could exhaust Corberan's credit at a club not known for its patience.
At the other end of the table, league leader Real Madrid looks to bounce back from a Champions League defeat to Liverpool with the short trip to play Rayo Vallecano at Vallecas.
Trent Alexander Arnold is now fully fit if Xabi Alonso wants to start the former Liverpool defender and his set piece delivery could be a factor against Rayo and also allow Fede Valverde to push forward into his favored midfield position.
FC Barcelona's defensive problems continued in its 3-3 draw against Club Brugge on Wednesday and Hansi Flick takes his side to play a Celta Vigo that has kick-started its campaign with consecutive league wins. Former Barcelona striker Ferran Jutgla will lead a Celta attack that will be optimistic of exploiting any gaps in Barca's high back line, while at the other end Robert Lewandowski is likely to start, although Raphinha remains out due to injury.
Villarreal continues to disappoint in Europe while remaining strong in La Liga and coach Marcelino can bring Gerard Moreno and Tajon Buchanan back into his starting 11 after a disappointing 1-0 loss to Pafos on Wednesday night.
Atletico Madrid has lost defender Robin le Normand to injury ahead of its home game against Levante, but Jose Gimenez returns and Alexander Sorloth and Thiago Almada should also be back to freshen up Diego Simeone's attacking options.
Expect drama in the San Mames Stadium where Athletic Club Bilbao takes on Oviedo. Oviedo travels second from bottom, while Athletic needs to overcome a long injury list to claim a win after taking just five points from its last eight matches, with questions over the fitness of several key players and the Williams brothers, Oihan Sancet, Benat Prados and Maroan Sannadi all injured.
The round of matches starts on Saturday with Elche at home to Real Sociedad, while Sevilla needs to end a run of three consecutive defeats when it entertains an Osasuna side that has five defeats and just one draw away from home this season.
Another defeat for Sevilla could see coach Matias Almeyda join the list of those facing a nervous wait over the international break. ■
微信扫描下方的二维码阅读本文
