Real Madrid visits a rejuvenated Getafe on Monday in a Spanish capital derby looking to stay in touch with league leader Barcelona.
Both Real Madrid and Getafe enter the match in fine form.
Since its 5-0 loss to Barcelona, Madrid has won three straight league games and is coming off coach Jose Mourinho's most lopsided victory of his career- an 8-0 win over Levante in the Copa del Rey.
Getafe seems to have regrouped after losing striker Roberto Soldado and midfielder Pedro Leon, who is now with Madrid, during the offseason. It has set a club record in winning its last four matches to move within two points of fourth place.
Leon is a card-carrying member of Getafe and says he "always wants Getafe to win, except against Madrid."
Getafe captain Manuel Del Moral believes his team's opponents will struggle at Alfonso Perez stadium despite Madrid winning 4-2 at the ground last season.
"Our stadium does not suit them well," Del Moral said. "We can surprise them. I believe in our team and the weapons we have."
Barcelona leads second-place Madrid by two points and plays Sunday at home against Levante, which has only won once away this season and arrives fresh off its thrashing by Madrid.
Barcelona has dropped its only four points in the league at Camp Nou stadium and is coming off a scoreless home draw against a defensive Athletic Bilbao in the Copa del Rey.
Previously, the Catalan club had won 10 straight and outscored its opponents 42-4.
Netherlands midfielder Ibrahim Afellay could make his debut for Barcelona after joining from PSV Eindhoven last week. Barcelona defender Maxwell described Afellay as fast, technically skilled and intelligent.
"He has things to contribute to the team," the Brazilian left back said. "He has to accustom himself to a new system, but we are here to help him."
Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola will be without both starting center backs. Captain Carles Puyol is out for 10 days with a muscle tear, and Gerard Pique is suspended.
Reserve defender Marc Bartra could fill one of the spots after impressing in Barcelona's 8-0 win over Almeria and its Champions League victory over Rubin Kazan earlier this season.
Barcelona will have Gabriel Milito and Jeffren Suarez back from injury.
Levante has lost two straight in the league to be only two points clear of the relegation zone, and will be hoping striker Felipe Caicedo has recovered from an ankle injury.
In other games, Valencia plays Espanyol at Mestalla stadium in a matchup of fourth- and fifth-place teams who are level on points, and Atletico Madrid hosts Racing Santander.
The game at the Mestalla will feature two of the top strikers in the league. Valencia's Aritz Aduriz and Espanyol's Pablo Osvaldo lead their teams with six goals apiece.
"It will be a difficult game against a direct rival that that we have to beat one way or another to get a three-point cushion that will help us a lot," said Valencia captain David Navarro, who is suspended for the match, as is Soldado.
Atletico is looking for its third consecutive victory as it bids to break into the top four, and could give Brazilian midfielder Elias his debut.
"I hope to help the team to win a berth in the Champions League," Elias said at his presentation on Thursday.
In other matches, it is: Athletic Bilbao vs. Deportivo La Coruna; Sporting Gijon vs. Malaga; Sevilla vs. Osasuna; Villarreal vs. Almeria; Zaragoza vs. Real Sociedad and Mallorca vs. Hercules.
