MADRID, Feb. 1 (Xinhua) -- Matchday 22 in Spain's La Liga sees a clash between Barcelona and Valencia, while Atletico Madrid visit Real Betis and Real Madrid face an Alaves side which looks weaker than one month ago. Here are some things to look out for this weekend in Spain.
1. Barca vs Valencia: Two sides in form
Last weekend saw Valencia make it two wins from two games with a 3-0 thrashing of Villarreal, while on Tuesday they booked their place in the semifinals of the Copa del Rey with a dramatic victory over Getafe. Marcelino Garcia's side are probably enjoying their best football of the season as they prepare to visit the Camp Nou.
Barca, meanwhile, have claimed eight consecutive league wins as they triumphed 2-0 in Girona and on Wednesday qualified for the last four of the Cup with a 6-1 victory over Sevilla.
Sergio Busquets is suspended for Barca and by the time they kick off this weekend the two sides will know the identity of their Cup semifinal opponents. If they are drawn to face each other, that could affect both coaches' plans.
2. Atletico Madrid to stifle Betis' passing game
Real Betis needed extra-time to win over Espanyol on Wednesday in the Benito Villamarin stadium, and that extra half-hour of football could come back to haunt them when Atletico Madrid come to town on Sunday.
Betis' ground will host this season's Copa del Rey final, which makes next week's semifinal taking on extra significance, and not facing Atletico at 100 percent could be fatal.
Athletic Bilbao showed last weekend how to stifle Betis' passing game as they pressured them high up the field and cut any danger with fouls in the middle of the park. Betis had just one shot on target from open play last weekend and expect Atletico to employ a similar tactic on what could be a long 90 minutes for Quique Setien's attractive but at times vulnerable side.
3. Alaves' depleted squad to suffer in the Bernabeu
Earlier in the season, Alaves' 1-0 win over Real Madrid hastened the end of Julen Lopetegui's reign as Madrid coach, as Alaves upset the odds to finish the first half of the season in the top four.
The turn of the year began with key forward Ibai Gomez returning to Bilbao, while this week has seen fellow striker Ruben Sobrino join Valencia for five million euros.
With nobody arriving to replace the two departed players, Alaves have lost attacking options and the unspoken message from the club is that 'Europe isn't a priority'.
Monday saw Alaves suffer their first home defeat of the season when they lost 1-0 to Rayo Vallecano, and with Real Madrid's form improving in recent weeks, Sunday's visit to the Santiago Bernabeu could be painful for the side from Vitoria.
4. Something to give in Basque derby?
Real Sociedad won the first Basque derby against local rivals Athletic Bilbao 3-1, taking advantage of defensive errors to claim an away win.
However, Athletic have improved drastically under new coach Gaizka Garitano, tightening up at the back and taking 15 points from seven games since he replaced Eduardo Berizzo. Under Garitano's leadership, Athletic have conceded just three goals in seven games, compared to 23 in 14 under Berizzo.
Real Sociedad are also unbeaten since Imanol Alguacil replaced Asier Garitano in the dugout, although their home form remains poor, as shown by a 0-0 draw with Huesca last weekend.
This derby promises to be much closer than the first of the season, with Athletic defender Inigo Martinez's return to his former club giving it extra bite. Enditem
