La Liga returns to action after the international break with Real Madrid and Athletic Bilbao looking to continue their perfect starts to the season, while several clubs will feature new faces following the closure of the transfer window.

Real Madrid travels to San Sebastian on Saturday to face Real Sociedad, a side that has yet to show its best form under new coach Sergio Francisco, recording two draws and a defeat.

Getafe CF′s Gaston Alvarez (R) vies with Real Madrid′s Federico Valverde during the Spanish league (La Liga) football match between Getafe CF and Real Madrid at Coliseum stadium in Madrid, Spain, on Feb. 1, 2024. (Photo by Gustavo Valiente/Xinhua)

Madrid remains without Jude Bellingham as he recovers from shoulder surgery but will be grateful that former coach Carlo Ancelotti did not call up the Brazilian trio of Vinicius Jr., Rodrygo and Eder Militao for the recent internationals.

Athletic Bilbao will seek its fourth consecutive win at home against Alaves in a Basque derby but will do so without coach Ernesto Valverde on the sideline. He was given a four-game ban for his red card at the end of Athletic's 2-1 win over Betis.

Nico Williams is also sidelined with a groin injury sustained while playing for Spain, and Benat Prados has a knee problem. UEFA also confirmed a 10-month ban for defender Yeray Alvarez for inadvertently using a prohibited substance in an anti-hair loss product.

FC Barcelona will play Valencia at the 6,000-capacity Johan Cruyff Stadium after the Barcelona City Hall refused to grant the necessary paperwork for the club to return to Camp Nou as redevelopment work continues.

Alejandro Balde, Gavi and likely Frenkie de Jong are out for Barca, meaning Marc Casado is expected to start in midfield. Coach Hansi Flick will hope his side can improve defensively after looking vulnerable in a 1-1 draw with Rayo Vallecano.

Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone said Wednesday that he is not worried by his team's slow start to the season, even though two draws and a defeat have left it seven points off the top of the table.

Villarreal travels to Atletico's Metropolitano Stadium sitting third in La Liga, unbeaten this season and playing attractive football despite the sale of Alex Baena to Atletico (although Baena will not play after an appendix operation). The visitor's pace in attack poses a real threat to Simeone's side.

The round of matches kicks off Friday night with newly promoted Elche looking to maintain its impressive unbeaten start away to Sevilla. Elche features in-form striker Rafa Mir, who is on loan from Sevilla.

The home side has been able to register its new signings but had to sell wingers Dodi Lukebakio and Stannis Idumbo to do so.

Getafe hosts Oviedo on Saturday afternoon, with Luis Milla suspended for the home side after his red card in a 3-0 defeat to Valencia. The match will test Oviedo's survival prospects after a 1-0 win over Real Sociedad two weeks ago.

Girona added Bryan Gil and striker Vladislav Vanat to its squad. Coach Michel Sanchez will demand a reaction in Sunday's visit to Celta Vigo after his side opened the season with three defeats and has looked fragile in defense.

Levante also will try to end a three-game losing streak in a tough home game against Betis, while Osasuna hosts a Rayo Vallecano side that has looked impressive in attack this season.

The round ends Monday as Espanyol hosts Mallorca, with the home side looking to striker Javi Puado to continue a positive start to the campaign.