This weekend in La Liga...

Can Henry revive his career?

Alexander Hleb beware – leaving Arsenal for Barcelona can damage your career. Thierry Henry thought the grass was greener at the Nou Camp but last season he was restricted to a narrow strip of it, along the left wing. When he played. Personal problems following the break-up of his marriage exacerbated Henry's unhappiness yet he still finished as the club's top scorer, with 19 goals. He must hope that the team's reshaping under Pepe Guardiola provides him with a leading role.

How will real madrid cope without Ronaldo or Sneijder?

The season has not even started but already Real Madrid's plans for their title defence and assault on the Champions League seem to have gone awry. Cristiano Ronaldo has not arrived and nor have David Villa or Santi Cazorla. Perhaps more worryingly Wesley Sneijder, the architect of much of Real's best play last season, will not be fit until November at the earliest. Rafael van der Vaart and Ruben de la Red have arrived, and Arjen Robben claims to be fit at last, but the confusion over Robinho's future underlines the uncertainty at the Bernebeu.

Are Atletico Madrid genuine contenders?

The Spanish Manchester City are aiming to recapture a title won once in 35 years, under Raddy Antic in 1996. Signings have been added to the squad which reached the Champions League for the first time, headed by John Heitinga, Thomas Ujfalusi and Paolo Assuncao. Much is expected of youngsters Javier Aguerro and Ignacio Camacho.

Why does nobody want Eto'o?

Barcelona's Cameroonian was one of the world's most in-demand strikers two years ago. Then the knee injuries began. He returned midway though last season and scored 16 goals in 17 La Liga matches. Eto'o was back. At the end of the season, however, Pepe Guardiola replaced Frank Rijkaard as coach and Eto'o was declared surplus to requirements. Eto'o might have imagined that a queue of managers and agents would form along Las Ramblas but there has been no serious interest from any major club – or even Spurs. So Eto'o has stayed, and has been told to "fight for his place".