Barcelona are growing under new coach Luis Enrique, according to Lionel Messi.

Former player Enrique took the reigns in the summer and currently sits top of the Primera Division with 16 points from 18.

A Champions League loss to Paris St Germain tempered the mood a little, but ahead of the weekend clash with Rayo Vallecano, Messi believes things are on the right track.

"We are working well in training and we are trying to carry that forward into the games," he told Barca's official website.

"The team is growing and we are on the right track. There's more to come once we take everything on board that the boss is asking of us."

Saturday's meeting with mid-table Rayo gives Barca the chance to move further ahead of either or both of Valencia and Atletico Madrid.

The second and third-placed teams also meet on Saturday in one of the fixtures of the round.

Defending champions Atleti go in on a high having shaded Juventus in a typically hard-fought Champions League encounter in midweek.

"Now this is done, our attentions are already on the upcoming game with Valencia," coach Diego Simeone said.

The fixture represents a first genuine test of the season for Valencia, with Atleti one of the division's stellar sides and comfortably its most relentless one.

"We have prepared very well all week," said striker Paco Alcacer.

"It is clear that Atletico played a very hard game in the Champions League and could be a little tired. But we have seen what Atletico can do. The numbers are in their favour but we are playing at home and have to go for it."

Saturday's matches are completed by Almeria against Elche, Eibar against Levante and Malaga against Granada.

Real Madrid are in action on Sunday, taking on Athletic Club.

They survived a scare in the Champions League in midweek, coming from behind to beat minnows Ludogorets 2-1.

"We did a good job (against the Bulgarians)," defender Marcelo said of that on his club's official website.

"We moved the ball about well and we did what the coach asked of us. In the end we won 2-1.

"There are no easy games and now we are working hard over the coming days in order to beat another good team in Athletic."

Celta Vigo host Villarreal, Real Sociedad go to Espanyol and Sevilla are at home to Deportivo la Coruna in Sunday's other clashes.