La Liga Game-by-Game Guide to the Weekend

It's match day four in La Liga and Bleacher Report is here to give you a preview of every upcoming match in Spain.

Teams will try and regroup after the international break took a few casualties throughout the league. Managers will need to rely on backups to get points after a two week break from each other.

Barcelona and Real Madrid will face tough tests away when they face Getafe and Sevilla, respectively.

Atletico Madrid will play its first match since demolishing Chelsea in the UEFA Super Cup. The reigning Europa League champions had their week three match against Betis rescheduled.

What follows is a brief preview of all 10 matches in La Liga as we return from the break.

Malaga vs. Levante

Start Time

Saturday September 15
10:00 AM EST

 

Previous Results

Real Zaragoza 0-1 Malaga

Levante 3-2 Espanyol

 

Preview

Malaga are off to a surprising start after a terrible summer that saw them lose some key stars. They are undefeated to this point

Levante have not been quite as fortunate and are struggling to find consistency, but did manage to earn a draw against Atletico in the opener.

Look for a very close match in this one with Los Boquerones as slight favorites.

Saturday Upset Watch: Valencia vs. Celta Vigo

Start Time

Saturday September 15
12:00 PM EST

 

Previous Results

Barcelona 0-1 Valencia

Celta Vigo 2-0 Osasuna

 

Preview

Here is a matchup of two lower-table teams that have played much better than their record suggests. 

Valencia are winless to to this point, but have played three very close matches. They managed to take points from Real Madrid before playing Barcelona to a hard-fought 1-0 loss.

Celta have just three points on one win so far, but lost the opener on a last-minute wonder goal against Malaga in a match that was very even throughout.

Los Che will be favored, but watch for an upset; also, Celta's midfield has been surprising people.

Getafe vs. Barcelona

Start Time

Saturday September 15
2:00 PM EST

 

Previous Results

Deportivo 1-1 Getafe

Barcelona 1-0 Valencia

 

Preview

Barcelona look a weakened side due to injuries and Getafe have upset La Blaugrana within the last 12 months. 

Check out my complete preview of this match and then join my live blog on Saturday.

Match of the Day: Sevilla vs. Real Madrid

Start Time

Saturday September 15
4:00 PM EST

 

Previous Results

Rayo Vallecano 0-0 Sevilla
Real Madrid 3-0 Granada

 

Preview

Call this one a battle of the slow starters and both clubs have begun their 2012-2013 campaign with generally disappointing results.

Check out my full preview of this match.

Espanyol vs. Athletic Bilbao

Start Time

Sunday September 16
6:00 AM EST

 

Previous Results

Levante 3-2 Espanyol
Athletic Bilbao 2-0 Valladolid

 

Preview

You will struggle to find two Spanish clubs more desperate for a win.

After giving up nine goals in their first two games, Athletic Club finally managed a win against Valladolid just before the break.

Espanyol are still searching for their first points of the season as they sit in the relegation zone after a very poor start to the season marred by poor play and bad refereeing.

Given the quality of defense on these two teams, we could be in for a shootout.

Granada vs. Deportivo La Coruña

Start Time

Sunday September 16
10:00 AM EST

 

Previous Results

Real Madrid 3-0 Granada
Deportivo 1-1 Getafe

 

Preview

This is the match I recommend most for my readers who are trying to get more involved with La Liga.

It pits two clubs who have been promoted in the past two seasons and have very few huge names on their rosters.

Despite the lack of superstar recognition, there is still a large amount of talent and exciting players on each squad.

Osasuna vs. Mallorca

Start Time

Sunday September 16
12:00 PM EST

 

Previous Results

Celta Vigo 2-0 Osasuna
Mallorca1-0 Real Sociedad

 

Preview

This could get ugly.

Osasuna are currently in dead last in La Liga. They have allowed two goals in every match thus far and have only managed one goal on a rather fortunate header against Barcelona.

On the other hand, Mallorca have been playing very well so far and have scored in all three games to open their season. Tomer Hemed has three goals to his name already.

Osasuna could pull out a draw here so keep an eye on this result.

Real Sociedad vs. Real Zaragoza

Start Time

Sunday September 16
1:50 PM EST

 

Previous Results

Mallorca 1-0 Real Sociedad
Real Zaragoza 0-1 Malaga

 

Preview

Both clubs are level with three points gained so far and while the hosts will be favored, Zaragoza always plays the Basques tough.

The Txuri-urdin have a great midfield that produces some fun football and that should see them take the full three points, but playing to their full potential has been a problem thus far.

Match of the Day: Atletico Madrid vs. Rayo Vallecano

Start Time

Sunday September 16
3:30 PM EST

 

Previous Results

Atletico 4-0 Athletic Bilbao
Rayo Vallecano 0-0 Sevilla

 

Preview

It's derby time again in Madrid!

On the surface, this match looks like a huge mismatch that could turn into another demolition for Atletico.

However, Rayo have been checking in above their weight so far this season and have pulled off some close matches that will certainly give them some much-needed confidence.

While this derby could be a close one, I think the attacking power of Arda Turan and especially Radamel Falcao will prove too great for Vallecano.

Valladolid Real Betis

Start Time

Monday September 17
3:30 PM EST

 

Previous Results

Athletic Bilbao 2-0 Valladolid
Betis 1-2 Rayo Vallecano

 

Preview

Lots of interesting matchups in La Liga's closing match. Despite being two of the league's weaker sides, there is actually a fair share of midfield talent that will be on display.

The biggest name in the game, Beñat, could be playing his last match in Sevilla as Bilbao are looking to make a late move for Betis' star player after losing Javi Martinez to Germany.

Follow @MichaelCernaBR