Dec 4, Madrid (LatestNewsX) – The race for the La Liga crown is heating up again this weekend, especially after FC Barcelona clinched a home win over Atlético Madrid, and Real Madrid bounced back on form during two mid‑week matches pushed forward for the Spanish Supercup.
Barcelona looked sharp against the Reds, but this Saturday they’ll face a tight schedule when Hansi Flick’s side travels to Real Betis. Betis, sitting fifth and unbeaten in their last four games, are riding high after a 2‑0 win in the Seville derby. With Pablo Fornals in scintillating form for Manuel Pellegrini, Barcelona will have to step up to keep the title hopes alive.
Flick hasn’t lost Dani Olmo to a dislocated shoulder, and Pedri might sit out after being pulled off against Atlético because of muscle fatigue. The bright spot, though, is that Frenkie de Jong is back after his injury.
Kylian Mbappé was the difference again as Real Madrid swept a 3‑0 victory in Bilbao. Xabi Alonso’s side, however, put in a more solid display, with Eder Militao, Antonio Rudiger, and Aurelien Tchouameni in the backline.
Real Madrid’s first home league clash in a month comes at the Santiago Bernabéu against Celta Vigo. Celta have been uneven all season, rarely winning in front of their supporters. Still, there’s a lot to ask from Iago Aspas and the rest of the squad, especially with Mbappé in such good form.
Athletic Bilbao and Atlético Madrid were the biggest mid‑week losers this week. Athletic let Real Madrid win with a too‑tame performance, while Atlético dropped a full six points from the table after Tuesday’s loss.
That same Tuesday saw Diego Simeone lose José Giménez, Alex Baena, and Johnny Cardoso to injuries – a problem that pales in comparison to Athletic’s injury list, filled with names like Inaki Williams, Benat Prados, Robert Navarro, Maroan Sannadi, and Unai Egiluz. Nevertheless, Oihan Sancet will return after serving a two‑match ban.
Villarreal sit third in the standings. Although Marcelino Garcia Toral’s squad gave their all in the Copa del Rey, the coach will make sweeping changes for Saturday’s home match against Getafe, who rarely concede.
The weekend starts with the bottom‑table Oviedo looking desperately for a win at home against Mallorca. Luis Carrion appeared to tighten their defense, but he has yet to secure a victory since taking over from Veljko Paunovic in October.
Alavés have dropped towards the relegation zone after three straight defeats and will face Real Sociedad in the Basque derby. The Biri‑Biri side’s unbeaten string ended at Villarreal last weekend.
Elche remain winless in their last seven La Liga games and could give Girona a chance to climb out of the relegation zone. Girona, however, must forget their Copa del Rey exit to Ourense this Wednesday.
Valencia will host Sevilla in a clash between two once‑powerful clubs now struggling. Sevilla coach Matías Almeyda is under pressure after four losses in five games, including last week’s painful derby defeat to Betis.
The round wraps up on Monday, with Osasuna under pressure. Coach Alessio Lisci needs a win against Levante—who still need to name a replacement for Julian Calero after his sacking last week. The 17th‑placed Osasuna sit on just 12 points, and another defeat could force Lisci into a job search.
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