The ninth round of matches in La Liga kicks off on Friday to end an intense period before the second international break of the season.

Nearly every team in La Liga, especially those playing in European competitions, will welcome the rest after a period that has seen them play seven games in less than four weeks.

League leaders FC Barcelona has a difficult visit to play Alaves on Sunday after a Jekyll and Hyde week which began with a team full of youngsters losing 4-2 away to Osasuna, before a more recognizable starting 11 brushed past Young Boys 5-0 in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday.

With five days to prepare for the trip to Vitoria, Barca coach Hansi Flick will presumably play his strongest 11 against Alaves, with the return of Ansu Fati and Frenkie de Jong giving him more options in attack and midfield.

Real Madrid drew away to Atletico Madrid in last Sunday's controversial derby, but has a difficult home game against Villarreal.

Marcelino Garcia Toral's side has had a positive start to the season and despite the loss of Yeremy Pino through injury, they have plenty of pace in attack, with in-form Ayoze Perez, Alex Baena and Nicolas Pepe all able to exploit any spaces in the Madrid midfield and defense.

Real Madrid was desperately poor in its 1-0 defeat away to Lille on Wednesday in the Champions League, but will presumably have Kylian Mbappe available after injury.

Atletico lost 4-0 to Benfica on Wednesday and follows that with a trip to San Sebastian where Real Sociedad looks to be finding its feet after a start to the season handicapped by a series of injuries to key players.

Things get underway on Friday night with Valencia coach Ruben Baraja needing to see a reaction when his side visits recently promoted Leganes.

Both sides have only one win each so far this season, but while Leganes can expect a difficult season, Valencia will have been expecting better and a repeat of last weekend's performance in San Sebastian could put Baraja's position in jeopardy.

Jagoba Arrasate has had an excellent start at Mallorca and his side looks for its third consecutive away win when it visits Espanyol, who looks to avoid its fourth consecutive defeat.

Ante Budimir will lead a confident Osasuna in Getafe, where the home side needs to build on last weekend's first win of the season, before Valladolid has a vital match at home to Rayo Vallecano.

Valladolid slipped to 19th after losing to Mallorca in the last round of games and has both the worst attack and defensive record in La Liga, with just four goals scored and 17 against.

Defeat to Rayo could see Valladolid coach Paulo Pezzolano clear favorite to be the first coach to be sacked this season, although Las Palmas' boss Luis Carrion could also win the 'sack race' if his side prolongs its winless start at home to Celta Vigo.

Celta has slipped after an excellent start, but its attacking style of play and an in-form Iago Aspas should create chances against a porous Las Palmas defense.

Girona also lost in midweek's Champions League action and has an ever-increasing injury list to receive Athletic Bilbao.

Sunday also sees the Seville derby with Sevilla at home to Real Betis in what is always one of the most hostile derbies in Spain. 

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