MADIRD, Jan 26 -- There is one standout game in matchday 26 of the Spanish La Liga, but given recent results we can take little for granted. Here are four things to keep an eye out for this weekend.

1. Huge test for Real Madrid in Mestalla

Real Madrid appeared to have put talk of a crisis behind them last weekend with a 7-1 thrashing of Deportivo La Coruna, but the phantoms swiftly returned on Wednesday when they were knocked out of the Copa del Ray by Leganes.

Gareth Bale, Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema, who scored on Wednesday, should start away to Valencia on Saturday in a game Real Madrid simply must win to avoid dropping to eight points behind their rivals and risk slipping into fifth position on the league table.

Manager Zinedene Zidane admitted after the cup exit that his job was on the line; defeat in Valencia could just leave him out of work.

2. Coutinho to shine against Alaves?

Barcelona's record signing, Philippe Coutinho made his debut in the closing minutes of Barca's cup win at home to Espanyol on Thursday night and gave fans a glimpse of what the club paid 160 million euros for with some moments of skill and vision.

Alaves are next in the Camp Nou, and although the league leaders won the first meeting between the two earlier this season, they will no doubt remember how the side from Vitoria defeated them on their home turf last year.

Alaves have improved drastically under the guidance of former Barca defender Aberlado Fernandez and Barca could find it tough to break them down. However with Messi in outstanding form, Barca should take all three points and the fans will want to see more of their record signing.

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