Juaz Cruz in action. (Courtesy: LaLiga)
League leaders Real Madrid will host Atletico Madrid in the fourth Madrid derby on Sunday. There have already been three meetings this season between the old rivals: a 3-1 Atletico de Madrid win in La Liga, a 5-3 Real Madrid win after extra time in the Spanish Super Cup semi-final and then a 4-2 Atletico de Madrid victory in the Copa del Rey Last 16. With this derby having produced so many goals in recent times, and with both sides desperate for the three points on offer, this fourth duel of the season should produce yet more fireworks.
Another of the eye-catching fixtures is Athletic Club vs RCD Mallorca on Friday night, a meeting of two of the Copa del Rey semi-finalists. Although both sides are dreaming of cup glory, they have objectives in LALIGA EA SPORTS too as the Basques have a shot at Champions League qualification while the islanders are only four points above the relegation zone.
Girona FC, who hope to take the LALIGA EA SPORTS crown this term, have a very important home game on Saturday night, as Real Sociedad come to town. It was away at La Real that Girona FC’s miraculous season commenced, as Artem Dovbyk netted the equaliser for a 1-1 draw in San Sebastián in Matchday 1. Several months on, Girona FC are serious title challengers and will seek all three points.
On Saturday, it’s Valencia CF vs UD Almería which kicks off a fun day of football. This is always an entertaining fixture, with their past seven meetings having produced zero clean sheets and an average of four goals per game, as was the case when they played out a 2-2 draw earlier this season.
Next up is a meeting of the top two teams from LALIGA HYPERMOTION last year, in Granada CF and UD Las Palmas. The latter have had a more successful start to life in the top tier, but Granada CF have made several January signings and will hope to kick on during the second half of the season.
At 18:30 CET on Saturday, in-form Deportivo Alavés host an FC Barcelona side who are still coming to terms with Xavi’s announcement that he’ll leave the club at the end of the season. The Basque club have won three league games in a row and gave Barça a scare earlier in the season when Samu Omorodion scored after 17 seconds in what was ultimately a 2-1 loss for Luis García Plaza’s charges. This weekend, they’ll hope to take a point or three against the reigning champions.
Sunday begins with a battle of Los Amarillos, as Villarreal CF host Cádiz CF. For the latter, new coach Mauricio Pellegrino will hope to build on his positive start, after he earned a draw in his first game last weekend. The action them moves to Pamplona, where CA Osasuna will hope to continue their improved form against RC Celta. Jagoba Arrasate’s team have stepped it up in recent weeks since the switch to a back five system, so this will be an interesting tactical tussle against Rafa Benítez.
Next up is Real Betis vs Getafe CF, and the fans of Los Verdiblancos will hope to see their side bounce back after losing their unbeaten home record last matchday. However, Getafe CF did win at the Estadio Benito Villamarín last season, so nothing can be taken for granted.
The final fixture of the matchday also takes place in Spain’s capital, as Rayo Vallecano take on Sevilla FC in Vallecas on Monday. There is a chance Sevilla FC could enter this game inside the relegation zone, depending on results elsewhere, so the pressure will be on Los Nervionenses as Matchday 23 comes to a close.
