2' min
The La Liga weekend is set to unfold without some of its most anticipated teams. Powerhouses such as Barcelona, Real Madrid, Athletic Bilbao, and Mallorca are currently competing in the Spanish Super Cup in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. As a result, their matches have been postponed, similar to what’s happening in Serie A with the Supercoppa Italiana. This scenario opens up an opportunity for Diego Simeone's Atletico Madrid to capitalize. The Colchoneros, just two points behind their city rivals, will aim for a crucial victory against Osasuna to temporarily claim the top spot in the standings. A win would put additional pressure on Carlo Ancelotti's Real Madrid and solidify Atletico’s position in the title race. With the battle for La Liga heating up, this weekend could prove pivotal for the contenders.
Another key match to watch is Real Sociedad vs. Villarreal. These two clubs, separated by only five points, are in a fierce battle for European qualification, with Villarreal holding a slight edge. Meanwhile, Real Betis could re-enter the race as they face bottom-ranked Real Valladolid. The classic fixture between Sevilla and Valencia now serves as a lower-table clash. A win for Sevilla could push them closer to the final Conference League spot, while Valencia, currently second-to-last, desperately needs points to close the four-point gap from safety.
Several high-stakes matches feature direct battles for survival: Leganes vs. Espanyol and Las Palmas vs. Getafe, both pivotal in the relegation fight. The weekend’s action kicks off with a showdown between Rayo Vallecano and Celta Vigo, who are only two points apart in the standings. The 19th matchday concludes with Alaves taking on Girona. After last season's stunning Champions League qualification, the City Group-affiliated club Girona is struggling to find consistency and now finds itself slipping out of the European race.
