MADRID, Jan. 19 (Xinhua) -- Four of the five Spanish teams in Champions League action this week still have something at stake, with Real Madrid, FC Barcelona and Atletico Madrid all chasing top-eight finishes to avoid an extra qualifying round, while Athletic Club is battling to finish inside the league phase's top 24 teams and secure a place in February's playoffs.
With only one point from five matches, Villarreal is almost out of contention to progress, and travels to face Ajax on Tuesday in a meeting between the teams ranked 35th and 34th in the 36-team standings.
Real Madrid sits seventh and needs a home win over an AS Monaco side still hoping to reach the playoffs.
Alvaro Arbeloa will make his European debut as Madrid coach at the Santiago Bernabeu, with attention on the atmosphere following the jeers that accompanied Saturday's 2-0 La Liga win over Levante. European nights have traditionally brought a different response from the crowd, but Arbeloa will be eager for a convincing display to avoid renewed unrest.
Antonio Rudiger is expected to miss the match with a knee problem. Brahim Diaz has returned after the Africa Cup of Nations but is likely to be rested after playing 120 minutes and missing a decisive penalty in Sunday's final.
Atletico Madrid is one place behind its city rival and faces Turkish side Galatasaray in an away match on Wednesday.
Atletico edged past Alaves on Sunday, but after the recent departures of Conor Gallagher and Giacomo Raspadori, coach Diego Simeone said the squad needs reinforcements to allow proper rotation.
FC Barcelona is expected to have Raphinha available for its trip to Slavia Prague, where anything other than a win would almost certainly force Hansi Flick's side into the playoff route to reach the round of 16.
Joao Cancelo has given Flick added defensive options, while Robert Lewandowski and Marcus Rashford are expected to start after beginning Sunday's defeat at Real Sociedad on the bench.
Athletic Club faces a demanding trip to fifth-placed Atalanta, knowing it must win in Bergamo and then beat Sporting CP next week to keep its top-24 hopes alive.
Coach Ernesto Valverde is expected to rotate his squad following Saturday's loss at Mallorca, with Inigo Lekue, Alejandro Rego and Andoni Gorozabel among those likely to come into the lineup. ■
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