La Liga: Three derbies in matchday 17, as James Rodriguez faces old team, Real Madrid

Espanyol will kick off Saturday’s fixtures with their home game against CA Osasuna. This is a return to the RCDE Stadium for Osasuna boss Vicente Moreno, who is keen to prove himself with his new team.

Next, newly establishing sides, Mallorca and Girona will face off as both sides are hoping to make European positions finish. Girona, who finished in the top four last season are currently ninth on the log. Meanwhile, Mallorca are above, on eighth position.

Sevilla and Celta Vigo plays next on the Saturday fixtures. The game is expected to be an emotional affair as it’ll be Jesús Navas’ final home game for Los Rojiblancos.

The right-back is preparing to retire at the end of the calendar year. This will be his final outing at the Estadio Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán.

League champions, Real Madrid, will play the final game on Saturday fixtures, as they travel to face Rayo Vallecano.

The game, a Madrid derby in Vallecas, will also see former Madrid star, James Rodriguez play against his former side and three times manager, Carlo Ancelotti.

This could be a tricky game for the defending champions, as they’ve struggled against Vallecano in recent seasons.

Real Madrid have only won three of their past seven league games against their capital city neighbours. Even when they did win, those three victories were by just one-goal margins.

Meanwhile, Sunday games will feature two derbies and three other ties.

First of the clashes is another Madrid derby. Atlético de Madrid will welcome neighbours, Getafe CF in an important game in the title race.

Diego Simone’s side will hope to keep up their excellent recent form as they’ve won their past five league games.

A victory over Getafe will make it six in a row, as they hope to catch up with Barcelona and Real Madrid.

Next up is a Basque derby, as Deportivo Alavés host an in-form Athletic Club side.

This will be the first game on home ground for new Alavés coach Eduardo Coudet, and it is expected to be a huge task.

Real Sociedad will host Las Palmas, as Villarreal welcomes Real Betis, a meeting which will see Villarreal’s Ayoze Perez face his old team.

League leaders, Barcelona will play the final game of Matchday 17 on Sunday night, when they welcome Leganés to the Estadi Olímpic.

Barca will need to return to winning ways, if the need to seal their lead of arch-rival, Madrid.

The Catalans will be without head coach, Hansi Flick, who saw his red card appeal declined and extended to two games.

However, the leaders have won all five home games they’ve ever played against Los Pepineros, and will hope to look over their recent slump form, and gather all three points against the newly promoted side.