MADRID, Dec. 1 (Xinhua) -- FC Barcelona and Atletico Madrid are at home on matchday 14, while Real Madrid and Valencia are on the road. Following are some things to look out for this weekend in Spain's Liga Santander.
1. Clash of crises in San Mames
It has not been a good week for either Real Madrid or Athletic Club Bilbao, who they visit on Saturday night. Madrid struggled to beat Malaga last weekend and were then held by third tier side Fuenlabrada in the King's Cup in a game where Gareth Bale returned after injury. Bale will miss the trip to Bilbao, with another minor issue, taking away the player who added real pace to Zinedine Zidane's side, who still look alarmingly flat at times.
However, if Madrid have problems, they are nothing compared to Athletic Club's after they were knocked out of the Cup by another third tier side, Formentera, after another poor display. Coach Jose Angel 'Kuko' Ziganda has still to find a settled side and there are increasing calls for him to be sacked. A heavy defeat on Saturday could see his name added to this season's already long list of managerial casualties.
2. Kepa in the spotlight
There is no doubt that Athletic Club keeper, Kepa Arrizabalaga will be the center of attention on Saturday. The young Spain international, who has been nurtured by Athletic to be their keeper for the next decade or so, has yet to sign a new contract and can leave for nothing at the end of June.
There are strong rumors that Real Madrid have been in contact with Kepa and one Spanish paper even published on Wednesday that he could join in January; something that would go down very badly in Bilbao.
He is under pressure, but a good performance from Kepa on Saturday might not just help Athletic take three vital points, but also speed up a decision on his future and whatever happens, all eyes in Bilbao and in Madrid will be on him.
3. A familiar face in the Camp Nou
Celta Vigo visit the Camp Nou to play FC Barcelona on Saturday and will be led by a familiar face in Juan Carlos Unzue. Unzue spent two years with Barca as a player, five as the goalkeeping coach and the last three as assistant to Luis Enrique.
He left along with Enrique over the summer and has taken over at Celta Vigo where, perhaps unsurprisingly, he has attempted to maintain the passing style developed under Enrique and Eduardo Berizzo.
Celta's season was slow to get off the ground, but in recent weeks the side has improved drastically and in strikers Pione Sisto and Iago Aspas, they have players capable of causing Barca problems, although perhaps a leaky defense may prove fatal against Leo Messi and company.
4. Griezmann to continue upturn against leaky Real Sociedad
A fortnight is a long time in football and the past two weeks have seen a turnaround for Atletico Madrid striker Antoine Griezmann. Booed off the pitch in the Madrid derby two weeks ago, the French international scored the vital opening goal as his side beat Roma in the Champions League and then scored two more as they won 5-0 away to Levante last weekend.
The visit of Real Sociedad to the Wanda Metropolitano on Saturday gives Griezmann the chance to add to his tally. His former club has been handicapped all season by a leaky defense and has conceded 24 goals in 14 league matches, including at home to rock bottom Las Palmas last weekend.
They also conceded three second half goals to Segunda B side, Lleida on Wednesday to crash out the Cup and without the suspended Diego Llorente that back line could be weaker than ever in the Wanda.
