Analysis: Four things to look out for in Spain's Matchday 29

MADRID, March 29 (Xinhua) -- Matchday 29 of La Liga begins the downhill straight to the end of the season and also presents us with some potentially fascinating games. Here are some things to look out for this weekend in Spain.

1. Messi vs Wu Lei

Although the derby between FC Barcelona and Espanyol is about more than just two players, it gives onlookers the chance to make an onfield comparison between Barcelona's Lionel Messi and Espanyol's Wu Lei.

The Chinese international has been impressive since arriving in January and his side has lost just once in seven games since his debut. However, Messi is believed by many as the best player in the world and the benchmark against whom everyone aspires to measure themselves.

The Argentinian scored twice as Barca beat Espanyol 4-0 away from home earlier in the season and his side is clear favorite. However, if Wu can produce the goods, it will announce his arrival to a worldwide audience as never before.

2. A test of personality for Atletico Madrid

Atletico Madrid had a nightmare week before the international break, crashing out of the Champions League with a 3-0 defeat to Juventus and losing 2-0 away to Athletic Bilbao to virtually end their interest in the title race.

Diego Simeone's men now face a difficult trip to fifth-placed Alaves, who still have ambitions of a top-four finish.

Atletico suffered another blow during the week with the news that French international defender Lucas Hernandez will leave the club to join Bayern Munich in July. Simeone has the job of raising morale in his squad, knowing that a poor end to the season could lead to other players also thinking of leaving.

3. Crunch time in Vigo

It hasn't been an easy start at Celta Vigo for Fran Escriba, the club's third coach of the season, with the former Villarreal boss kicking off his term with a 1-0 home defeat to Real Betis and a 2-0 loss away to Real Madrid.

Celta were unlucky that their trip to Madrid coincided with Zinedine Zidane's return to the Santiago Bernabeu, but they now go into Saturday's game at home against Villarreal four points behind their weekend rivals.

It will be a special game for Escriba against his former club, but more than anything it is a vital game for Celta, who could find themselves seven points from safety if they lose again.

The best news for Celta is the return of forward Iago Aspas, who has scored 10 goals this season, but has just one appearance in 2019 due to injury. Celta have dropped nine places since Aspas was injured and they need him back and at his best in order to climb out of the drop zone.

4. Jemez's return guarantees clash of styles in Rayo-Betis game

Rayo Vallecano are in an even worse position than Celta after a seven-game losing streak left them second from bottom.

The club swapped coaches, replacing Michel with Paco Jemez during the international break with the hope that the new man can recreate the success of his first spell at the club, which saw him lead Rayo to an eighth place finish.

Jemez is known for his focus on all-out attack, which means Rayo score goals but also concede them and it will be interesting to see how that works against possession-happy Betis. If Rayo can win the ball high up field, they could have some joy, but the high defensive line Jemez favors could also leave Rayo exposed at the back.

This one won't be 0-0.