Leaders Barcelona face Leganes at the Camp Nou (Photo: Spanish La Liga)
Barcelona could take another step towards the LaLiga title during a weekend which also features a Madrid derbi at the Bernabeu and two huge ‘six pointer’ relegation battle clashes.
LaLiga leaders Barcelona take on Leganes at the Camp Nou on Saturday evening, with Ernesto Valverde’s team focusing in on 15 points they need from their last eight games to ensure the trophy. Leganes have never beaten Barca in LaLiga, but were only denied a draw on their only previous visit by Lionel Messi’s late winner last season.
All eyes will be on the Spanish capital on Sunday afternoon, as Real Madrid host neighbours Atletico Madrid with both teams still believing they have a title chance. Atletico have three wins and a draw in their last four LaLiga visits to the Bernabeu, however Real have been in ominous form recently, as shown by their crushing of Serie A leaders Juventus in the UEFA Champions League midweek.
Fourth placed Valencia face Espanyol on Sunday evening, with the Mestalla crowd welcoming visiting boss Quique Sanchez Flores, who both played for and coached Los Che in the past. Villarreal will be looking to defend their fifth spot in the table when Athletic Bilbao come to the Estadio de la Ceramica in Monday evening’s fixture.
Sixth placed Real Betis will aim for a fourth straight victory when Eibar visit the Estadio Benito Villamarin on Saturday afternoon, with extra intrigue in the Basque side’s Japan international Takashi Inui possibly switching between the teams next summer.
Recently installed Real Sociedad coach Imanol Alguacil’s first home game in charge sees Girona at Anoeta on Sunday afternoon, but Pablo Machin's men could spoil the party as they need points for European qualification themselves. Europa League spots are also on the line as Celta Vigo welcome Sevilla to Balaidos on Saturday, with the visitors also having in mind their midweek Champions League quarter-final clash with Bayern Munich.
Getafe are out to revenge a Copa del Rey defeat from earlier this season when they travel to Alaves on Saturday, with the Vitoria-based side still not quite mathematically safe from relegation.
LaLiga’s weekend kicks off at Riazor on Friday evening, when bottom team Malaga visit 19th placed Deportivo La Coruna. Last weekend’s victory over Villarreal was a huge confidence boost for Malaga, while Depor are unbeaten at home under manager Clarence Seedorf.
Sunday lunchtime brings another crunch clash as 17th placed Levante host a Las Palmas side just below them in the table. Levante have seven points from three outings under new coach Paco Lopez, while islanders boss Paco Jemez has already called this a “must win” game in his team's battle against the drop.
*This article is provided by Spanish La Liga
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