MADRID, Sept. 26 (Xinhua) -- The derby between Atletico and Real Madrid is the standout match in the seventh round of games in La Liga this weekend as Atletico looks to drag itself back into the title race and ensure its hopes are not snuffed out before the end of September.

Julian Alvarez's hat-trick on Wednesday at home to Rayo Vallecano saw Atletico come back for a late win which keeps them nine points behind league leaders, Real Madrid after Real won 4-1 away to Levante on Tuesday.

A win for Atletico would pull Diego Simeone's side to within six points of its neighbor, but defeat would leave them 12 points off the pace and that would surely be too much ground to recover, even though the campaign is still in its early stages.

Real Madrid has a 100 percent record at the start of the season, while coach Xabi Alonso has virtually a full squad to choose from with only Trent Alexander Arnold in the treatment room.

FC Barcelona's players will be watching the Madrid derby closely, knowing that if Real Madrid drops points they can go top with a win at home to Real Sociedad on Sunday.

Barca continues its nomadic season, leaving the 6,000 capacity Johan Cruyff Stadium to return to Montjuic as work continues on the Camp Nou.

Lamine Yamal is again a doubt, while Gavi is sidelined for several months and Fermin Lopez is out for another couple of weeks, limiting Hansi Flick's options to rotate his squad ahead of next weeks Champions League game at home to Paris Saint Germain.

Villarreal is at home to Athletic Club Bilbao in what promises to be an entertaining tie with Villarreal as slight favorites.

Athletic is struggling for form since the international break and coach Ernesto Valverde isn't helped by the long-term losses of defenders Yeray Alvarez and Unai Eguiluz, while midfielder Benat Prados is out for the season with a torn knee ligament.

The good news for Athletic is that Spain international winger, Nico Williams could return after injuring his groin while playing for Spain.

The weekend kicks off with Girona looking for its first win of the season at home to Espanyol, Girona defended well in Bilbao on Tuesday, but coach Michel Sanchez saw Donny Van de Beek suffer a tendon injury that has ended his season.

Getafe is at home to Levante in what promises to be a game of few chances, while Alaves visits a Mallorca side needing its first win of the season and with coach Jagoba Arrasate under increasing pressure after Wednesday's defeat to Real Sociedad.

The round of games ends on Monday with an impressive looking Valencia at home to an Oviedo side finding life tough in La Liga after last season's return to the elite. ■