Barcelona chase eighth straight win as Real Madrid host Villarreal with Mbappé fit

LaLiga returns this weekend after an international break of almost three weeks, and both giants play on Saturday: leaders Barcelona host Getafe at the Spotify Camp Nou at 18:30 CEST, then Real Madrid welcome Villarreal to the Bernabéu at 21:00.

Barcelona's perfect start

Hansi Flick's side have won all seven league games, scoring 31 goals and conceding seven, and sit five points clear of Atlético Madrid and Betis. Victory over Getafe would make it eight in a row. The visitors are 11th with eight points and have scored only four goals all season.

The main doubt is Raphinha, who has 14 goals and three assists in eight appearances this season. He left Brazil's camp early with a small muscle oedema at the back of his right thigh and again worked in the gym rather than with the group on Thursday; Sport and Mundo Deportivo say Friday's session will decide whether he plays. Goalkeeper Joan Garcia, injured against Racing Santander, has trained with the squad since Wednesday and is in line to start, according to Mundo Deportivo, while Lamine Yamal, Pedri and the other Spain internationals were back on Thursday.

Real Madrid's cracks

Real Madrid are fourth on 15 points, six behind Barcelona, after losing the derby 2-1 to Atlético just before the break. José Mourinho's side have won all three home league games, scoring 12 and conceding two, but the squad is stretched: Huijsen is suspended, while Asencio, Mendy and Rodrygo are still recovering from injury.

The better news is at both ends of the pitch. Kylian Mbappé, who hurt his left knee in the move in which he scored the only goal of France's Nations League win over Turkey on 25 September, trained with the group on Wednesday, and the club says he will be fit to start, Marca reports. He has scored eight of Madrid's 20 goals across LaLiga and the Champions League. Ibrahima Konaté completed a full session with the group on Tuesday and is expected to be available, Mundo Deportivo reports, a relief with Militão short of match rhythm after months out.

Fede Valverde, out since the 20 September derby with a grade-three sprain of his left ankle, did recovery work on Wednesday; Marca reported he could rejoin the group on Thursday with a view to facing Villarreal.

Villarreal's October climb

Villarreal arrive ninth on eight points, having ended a five-game winless run with victories over Málaga and Levante. Iñigo Pérez will have his full squad only for Friday's final session, as Canada's Tani Oluwaseyi and Nathan Saliba and USA defender Alex Freeman were due back in Spain on Thursday afternoon. Winger Tajon Buchanan is ruled out with a muscle problem, while Juan Foyth and Santi Comesaña are training normally again, Mundo Deportivo reports.

Villarreal have won at the Bernabéu twice before, in January 2018 and April 2023.

Matchday 8 opens on Friday with Málaga against Espanyol. Atlético visit Alavés on Saturday afternoon, and Betis, level with them on 16 points, host Osasuna on Sunday.