MADRID, March 15 (Xinhua) -- Spain's La Liga has its last round of matches before the international break this coming weekend and FC Barcelona should maintain or even extend their eight-point lead over Atletico Madrid at the top of the table.
Sunday afternoon sees FC Barcelona entertain Athletic Club Bilbao, who are in European action on Thursday.
Athletic's home win against Leganes means they are virtually safe from relegation, but the football played by the Basque side this season doesn't suggest they can cause a shock in the Camp Nou, where they have not won since 2001.
Philippe Coutinho will probably return for Barca and Sergio Busquets could miss out after picking up an injury on Wednesday, but Barca coach Ernesto Valverde is unlikely to make many changes to his starting line-up.
Atletico also play on Sunday afternoon and have a tough task when they play away to sixth-placed Villarreal.
Diego Costa is expected to be fit after missing Atletico's Europa League tie in Moscow on Thursday night, while Stefan Savic could also be available to give more options in the Atletico defense.
Real Madrid are at home to Girona and will no doubt remember how the Catalan side beat them away from home earlier this season. Girona are battling for a place in Europe in their first ever season in the top-flight and could pose problems for Real Madrid.
However, Zinedine Zidane will hope that the form that has seen Cristiano Ronaldo score six goals in his last three games will continue, while the luxury of a full week to prepare for the game is also a factor in his side's favor.
The round of matches kicks off on Friday with Levante at home to Eibar, where there are rumors over the future of coach Jose Luis Mendilibar and winger Takashi Inui, with Inui looking set for a move to Betis.
Saturday starts with a duel in the relegation zone as Deportivo la Coruna entertain Las Palmas. Deportivo have not won in 13 games, while Las Palmas have just two victories in their last 16 matches.
Valencia can momentarily move into third place above Real Madrid if they beat Alaves, who lost 3-1 to Betis on Monday night, while Real Sociedad entertain Getafe in a match between two sides who look destined for a mid-table finish this season.
Betis meanwhile can take a big step towards qualifying for Europe if they are able to win at home to Espanyol and many eyes will be on their young striker, Loren Moron, who has burst into the first team with five goals in his first six appearances.
Sunday sees Champions League quarter-finalists, Sevilla travel for a lunchtime kick off away to Leganes, while Celta Vigo take on Malaga.
