La Liga Preview: Barcelona Faces Espanyol Test In Catalan Derby As Real Madrid Clashes With In-Form Betis

La Liga’s first full weekend of 2026 features the Catalan Derby, a Madrid title battle, and survival clashes.

Espanyol vs Barcelona

‎Barcelona lead the table by four points on an eight-game league winning streak with 51 goals scored. Espanyol are fifth with five straight wins but have not beaten Barcelona at home since 2007.

‎Team News: Barca: Araujo returns; Pedri, Olmo potential returns. Espanyol: No major absences.

‎Prediction: Espanyol 1–2 Barcelona

Celta Vigo vs Valencia

‎Celta are seventh but have just one home win all season. Valencia are 17th, one point above the drop, winless away from home all season.

‎Prediction: Celta Vigo 2–1 Valencia

Osasuna vs Athletic Bilbao

‎Osasuna are on back-to-back wins and have 16 home points from eight matches. Athletic have lost their last two and have just seven away points all season.

‎Team News: Athletic: Vivian returns from suspension.

‎Prediction: Osasuna 1–1 Athletic Bilbao

Real Madrid vs Real Betis

‎Madrid are second, four points behind Barcelona. Mbappe is injured. Betis sit sixth and won their last meeting against Madrid 2-1 in March 2025.

‎Team News: Madrid: Mbappe (out). Betis: No major absences confirmed.

‎Prediction: Real Madrid 2–1 Real Betis