Fifth-placed Atletico Madrid visit second-placed Villarreal on Sunday in a clash between two sides expected to be competing for a top four finish this season.
Striker Sergio Aguero returned after a month out injured and showed Atletico what they had been missing, coming off the bench to score one and set up a second in their 3-0 Europa League win over Rosenborg on Thursday.
Aguero's return, and Brazilian striker Diego Costa's fourth goal in five games, helps take the pressure off an out-of-sorts Diego Forlan.
"I don't know if they play better or worse than other Real teams, but it is clear they are the most balanced side of recent times," Racing coach and former Real technical director Miguel Angel Portugal told sports daily Marca on Friday.
Xavi is likely to be replaced by Argentina's Javier Mascherano. Goalkeeper Victor Valdes, who missed their Champions League win over FC Copenhagen with an illness, has recovered to make the squad.
Striker David Trezeguet has been banned for two matches after his red card against Villarreal and will miss promoted Hercules's trip to Almeria on Sunday. He is the club's top scorer with four goals.
Promoted Real Sociedad are at home to Deportivo La Coruna on Monday without top scorer Raul Tamudo who has cracked a bone in his forearm. Depor, 19th, have yet to win a game and are La Liga's lowest scorers with just three goals from seven games.
