Real Madrid vs Sevilla FC is the blockbuster fixture of Matchday 26, especially because it will be Sergio Ramos’ return to his former home, yet there are several other interesting storylines to follow this weekend as well, such as FC Barcelona’s tough test against Getafe CF and Girona FC’s first home game in three weeks.
The matchday starts with a bang, as Real Sociedad and Villarreal CF face off in San Sebastián on Friday night. When they met earlier in the season, La Real secured a very impressive 3-0 win, with all their goals coming in the final 10 minutes of the first half. At home, Imanol Alguacil’s squad will hope to complete a double, although Villarreal CF are unbeaten in five.
There are four fixtures on Saturday and the first is Granada CF vs Valencia CF. Los Che are hoping to qualify for Europe this season, but haven’t won at the Nuevo Estadio de Los Cármenes since 2017 and will hope to change that this weekend.
Next up is FC Barcelona vs Getafe CF and Xavi will know just how tough a test this could be. Of his four matches against Los Azulones since taking over as coach of Barça, Xavi has had just one win and three draws, including on the opening weekend of this season. It promises to be another close game at the Estadi Olímpic.
Deportivo Alavés’ Mendizorroza stadium has been one of the most atmospheric in all of LALIGA EA SPORTS this season and it should be packed again for the visit of RCD Mallorca on Saturday evening, a game where the Basque side will hope to move even closer to safety.
On Saturday night, the action moves to the south of Spain as UD Almería host Atlético de Madrid. The Andalusian side are still seeking their first win of the campaign, but they did make life difficult for Atleti in their first meeting this season, even if Diego Simeone’s side ultimately prevailed 2-1.
The first two games of Sunday also take place in Andalusia, with Cádiz CF vs RC Celta first up. This is a huge relegation six-pointer, with the home side currently 18th on 17 points and the Galicians in 17th on 20 points. Later, Real Betis meet Athletic Club, with both these teams pushing for European qualification and all neutrals hoping for a game as entertaining as the Basque side’s 4-2 win from earlier in the season.
UD Las Palmas vs CA Osasuna follows and Ante Budimir will try to keep up his fine scoring form for Los Rojillos. The Croatia international scored the equaliser in a 1-1 draw between these sides earlier this season and comes into this weekend fourth in the Pichichi standings.
The Sunday night game this matchday is a huge one, a duel between Real Madrid and Sevilla FC. Sergio Ramos will make his long-awaited return to the Bernabéu, playing his first game there in almost four years. The former Real Madrid captain will relish playing in front of this crowd, but his focus will be on securing a point or three for his current team.
For the second week in a row, second-placed Girona FC are in action in the Monday night game. They host Rayo Vallecano, their first home game in three weeks, and will hope for a better result than last matchday, when they suffered a 3-2 loss in Bilbao. The Catalan side have a seven-point cushion in terms of staying in the Champions League spots, but will be determined to add three more points to their tally in Matchday 26.
