La Liga joint-top scorers Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, with 27 goals apiece, were both working to shake off injuries in time for Saturday matches.
With 10 left to play this season, Messi's Barcelona host Getafe defending a five-point lead at the top over second-placed Real Madrid, who visit city rivals Atletico Madrid.
Jose Mourinho's side have had only 72 hours to prepare for the derby and will be wary of aggravating the Portugal forward's injury.
Atletico, seventh, last beat their neighbours Real at the Calderon in the 1998/9 season and have already lost three times to them this season, in the league at the Bernabeu and in both legs of a King's Cup quarter-final tie.
"We have played really well in some games but the points have escaped us. We need to turn this around," Argentine striker Sergio Aguero told the club website.
"We need to be more precise in front of goal. We need to remember that Madrid always make you pay for mistakes."
Villarreal beat Bayer Leverkusen to make the Europa League quarter-finals on Thursday, Italy striker Giuseppe Rossi setting up one and scoring the other in a 2-1 win to become the competition's leading marksman with eight goals.
"Victories like this help strengthen morale... but now is when we need to keep our feet on the ground because there is still a long way to go," the US-born forward told the club website.
