La Liga wrap: Real, Barca return to safe havens

Barcelona and Real Madrid return to the safe confines of home on Saturday, after both sides suffered slip-ups on the road in midweek.

Pep Guardiola’s Barca side welcome Atletico Madrid to Camp Nou boasting imposing record at the historic stadium.

The Catalan giants have scored 13 goals and conceded none from their two matches there this season.

But those stats come in stark contrast to their form on the road, where they have been held to 2-2 draws against both Real Sociedad and Valencia.

Both managers have injury concerns ahead of the match, with Barca’s Dutch midfielder Ibrahim Afellay facing a lay-off of up to six months after tearing ligaments in his left knee in training on Thursday.

Atletico boss Gregorio Manzano has problems of his own, with Brazilian midfielder Diego – on loan from Wolfsburg – still recovering from injury after missing his side’s 4-0 win over Sporting Gijon on Wednesday.

Real Madrid, meanwhile, return to the Bernabeu for their clash with La Liga newcomers Rayo Vallecano after being held to a 0-0 draw at Racing Santander on Wednesday.

It was the second league game in a row in which the capital side failed to score.

Saturday’s other matches see second-placed Valencia journey to Sevilla, while Athletic Bilbao will be keen to move out of the relegation zone when they host Villarreal.

On Sunday, third-placed Malaga visit Real Zaragoza, bottom side Sporting Gijon host Racing Santander and promoted Granada entertain Osasuna at Estadio Los Carmenes.

Levante meet Espanyol while Real Sociedad journey to Mallorca.

Early pacesetters and Segunda Division champions Real Betis, the only team boasting four wins from as many games, face a trip to Getafe on Monday.