MADRID, Oct. 18-- The Liga Santander returns to action this weekend with a full fixture list which promises to be both fascinating and entertaining: here are some things to keep an eye out for over the coming days in Spain. 1 Defensive issues for Barcelona? FC Barcelona travel to face Eibar on Saturday with Gerard Pique and Ronaldo Araujo suspended and Samuel Umtiti still working his way back to full fitness, leaving Ernesto Valverde with the problem of who is going to partner Clement Lenglet in central defense. 19-year-old Jean Clair Todibo looks to be in line for his second start of the season after facing Sevilla ahead of the international break, but the youngster is in for a difficult afternoon against Eibar's powerful forwards Sergi Enrich and Quique Gonzalez and he can expect to face an aerial battle of the kind he isn't used to. Eibar have hit form with two wins and two draws after a slow start to the campaign and are always tough to beat in their compact Ipurua Stadium where space is at a premium. 2 Atletico need goals Atletico Madrid against Valencia looks to be one of the most attractive fixtures of the weekend with Valencia travelling in decent form despite off the pitch boardroom disagreements. Atletico meanwhile are struggling for goals and have scored just twice in their last four league games. Those two goals both came against struggling Mallorca and they drew a blank at home to Celta Vigo and Real Madrid, as well as away to Valladolid before the international break. |