MADRID, Aug. 29 -- The third round of matches in La Liga affords a final chance to look at the league's 20 sides before the international break, and also before the transfer window shuts until the start of January.
The first two rounds of games have left question marks hanging over both FC Barcelona and Real Madrid, with Barca kicking off badly with a loss away to Athletic Bilbao before recovering in magnificent styl
Lionel Messi was missing for both of those matches and there is no guarantee his calf injury will be risked e to beat Real Betis 5-2 last weekend.
for Saturday's trip to newly-promoted Osasuna.
Luis Suarez and Ousmane Dembele - who is being touted as a makeweight in Barca's efforts to sign Neymar Jr from Paris Saint-Germain - are also missing against a team that has kept two clean sheets in its first two games back in the top flight.
Real Madrid started their season with a 3-1 win away to Celta Vigo, but last weekend's 1-1 draw against Real Valladolid has caused doubts to resurface at the club, with coach Zinedine Zidane being seriously questioned for the first time.
Sunday sees Madrid travel to face Villarreal, who have shipped six goals in their opening two games of the campaign, but with players such as Santi Cazorla, Gerard Moreno, Carlos Bacca and Karl Toko Ekambi, the home side are capable of causing problems for Madrid's defense.
Isco joined Eden Hazard and Marco Asensio on the Real Madrid injury list during the week, while Zidane looks likely to give a third start to Gareth Bale after sidelining the Welshman for nearly all of pre-season, and Luka Modric is back after suspension.
The weekend kicks off with two interesting clashes on Friday as Sevilla defend their 100 percent record against Celta Vigo, who improved vastly from their opening day defeat to Real Madrid to beat Valencia 1-0 with a fine display from Denis Suarez.
Friday also sees what looks like a close-fought Basque derby between Athletic Bilbao and Real Sociedad, with Athletic looking for revenge after their rivals from San Sebastian won both of last season's meetings.
Getafe entertain Alaves in what promises to be another close game, although the return of Jordi Molina in attack could be a key factor for the home side.
Valladolid travel to Valencia to face Levante on Saturday, while Betis entertain Leganes, with both teams looking for their first points of the campaign.
Off-field issues over the possible sale of striker Rodrigo Moreno and a serious injury to right-back Cristiano Piccini have complicated Valencia's week ahead of the visit of Mallorca, who could provide a stern test for Marcelino Toral's side.
Atletico Madrid have started the season with two 1-0 wins, and it would be a brave person to bet against a different result when they entertain Eibar in the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium on Sunday, while Espanyol will look for their first points of the season when they entertain Granada.
The newly-promoted side have looked solid on their return to the top-flight, while Espanyol, who are without a point or a goal so far in La Liga, will hope new signing Jonathan Calleri can make up for the loss of striker Borja Iglesias on the eve of the season.