La Liga returns to action this weekend for the fifth round of matches, which kickstarts an intense month of seven games for sides playing in Europe. Here are some things to look out for this weekend in Spain.

1 Injuries a factor in San Sebastian

Real Madrid visit Real Sociedad on Saturday in a clash between two sides who will be without key players.

Real Sociedad are without the injured Spain international Mikel Oyarzabal, along with full backs Hamari Traore, Aritz Elustondo, Brais Mendez and Ander Barrenetxea, with coach Imanol needing to adapt in defense.

Real Madrid player Vinicius Jr. (R) vies with Real Betis player Diego Llorente during La Liga football match between Real Madrid and Real Betis, in Santiago Bernabeu stadium, Madrid, Spain, Sept. 1, 2024. (Photo by Gustavo Valiente/Xinhua)

Real Madrid will be missing Dani Ceballos, David Alaba, Eder Militao, Eduardo Mendy and Aurelien Tchouameni, while Jude Bellingham is also doubtful due to a muscle injury.

Real Madrid will hope their attacking talent will help compensate their problems in the middle of the park against a side that have lost at home to Rayo Vallecano and Alaves this season.

2 Girona v Barca to show respective possibilities

Barcelona's problems last season were highlighted by their La Liga defeats at home and away to Girona, who outplayed them in both games.

Now the two sides meet again in Girona with Barcelona top of La Liga with four wins from four games, while Girona look to be improving as they adapt to a summer of changes in their squad. A 4-0 thrashing of Osasuna and a 2-0 win in Sevilla show that Girona are picking up speed and the arrival of Arnaut Danjuma will give them added pace in attack.

Barcelona still have a long list of injuries and players such as Robert Lewandowski, Lamine Yamal and Raphinha have had an intense start to the season, but if Barca are to confirm a recovery under Hansi Flick, this is a game they can't lose.

3 Problems to deepen for Valencia against Atletico Madrid

A difficult start to the season for Valencia, which saw them take only one point from their first four games, got even more complicated during the international break when striker Rafa Mir was arrested on charges of sexual assault.

The club have decided to leave Mir out of their squad for the near future and he won't travel for the difficult visit to play Atletico Madrid. His loss will be felt badly by the club, as last season's top scorer, Hugo Duro also misses out through injury.

Meanwhile, it remains to be seen if the case will open up divisions in the squad after midfielder Pepelu openly criticized Mir for letting his companions down.

Atletico took a fortunate win in Bilbao before the international break and Valencia have a very difficult task of opening up their midfield and defense in what looks like a nailed-on home win.

4 James returns to Spain with Rayo

James Rodriguez is the big attraction when Rayo Vallecano entertain Osasuna in the Vallecas Stadium in the last game of the weekend.

The veteran Colombian international will be in charge of free-kicks and corners for the Madrid-based side, offering them extra options in attack against a well-structured rival that has two wins and a draw from their first three games of the season under new coach Vicente Moreno.

It should also be an emotional match for Rayo coach Inigo Perez, who spent four years playing for Osasuna before hanging up his boots to pursue a coaching career.

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