Action returns to Spanish La Liga with the eighth round of matches being played over the weekend. All the sides will be trying to get back into proper shape and rhythm after the international break.

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The clash of the weekend will definitely be Villarreal hosting Celta Vigo. This top-of-the-table clash will see the hosts start with a slender one-point advantage. Villarreal, though, fell to a surprise loss to Levante in the last round and will be eager to get back into winning ways. The goals from Leo Baptistao and Roberto Soldado could be crucial for Villarreal. Celta, on the other hand, are still unbeaten in the league and will look to Nolito for more inspiration and goals. This will be an intriguing game that, we think, may end in an exciting draw.

Real Madrid will try to revive their title charge as they host struggling Levante. Real are unbeaten in the league so far but have not shown any signs of dominance or consistency. Cristiano Ronaldo will be eager to get back to form and Rafael Benitez will be itching to see his star striker get his striking boots back to form. The incessant conjecture surrounding the infighting between the players and the coach could be put to test this weekend.

Barcelona will continue their life without the injured Lionel Messi as they await Rayo Vallecano. Having the world’s best player in your side is a luxury but his absence always hurts the side – something which the Argentina national has discovered already in their World Cup qualifying campaign. Luis Enrique will hope that Neymar and Suarez can keep the goals coming.

David Moyes will be under more pressure as his struggling side welcome Atletico Madrid. Diego Simeone's men are trying their best to stay in the mix for title hunt and will prove a tough opponent for Sociedad. For the home side, any further loss could see them tumbling into the relegation zone. This could be an interesting match and we wouldn't be surprised to see an upset.

Surprise package Eibar will host Sevilla in another interesting match. The visitors were expected to challenge for the top three positions but have had an indifferent start to their season. Hopefully, Unai Emery's men can find inspiration and build on their win against Barcelona in the last round.

At the other end of the table, Getafe welcoming Las Palmas could be a six-pointer. The two sides could be in the relegation battle mix at the end of the season and, currently, Getafe is just a couple of points ahead of Las Palmas.

Valencia host Malaga in a game where both sides are eager for a change of fortunes. The hosts have flattered to deceive and are looking to find a way to arrest their inconsistency. Malaga found a cylinder of oxygen in the last two rounds with a draw against Real Madrid and a crucial win against Real Sociedad. This fixture also has goals and excitement written all over it.

In other games, Real Betis play Espanyol, Deportivo La Coruna welcome Athletic Club while strugglers Granada will be up against Sporting Gijon away from home. These games will be not short of entertainment.

It won’t get better than this in La Liga as we ease back into league action. This could be a vital week in the larger scheme of things.

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