‎La Liga Preview: Real Madrid Chases Top Spot As Survival Battles Heat Up

‎La Liga returns with a full slate of crucial fixtures that could reshape the standings at both ends of the table.

Real Madrid vs Real Sociedad

‎Real Madrid enter riding a seven-match winning streak, 57 points from 23 games. Victory would take them top at least temporarily. Real Sociedad arrive unbeaten in 11 matches, winning eight, including a Copa del Rey semi-final first leg win over Athletic Bilbao.

‎Team News: Madrid: Militao, Bellingham (out); Mbappé (knee, expected to start); Vini Jr returns from suspension. Sociedad: Kubo, Brais Méndez, Marrero (out).

‎Prediction: Real Madrid 2–1 Real Sociedad

Espanyol vs Celta Vigo

‎Espanyol have lost four consecutive league matches. Celta have taken just one point from their last three La Liga games. Both sides need a result urgently.

‎Team News: Espanyol: Puado (long-term out); Romero and Terrats return. Celta: Nuñez (doubt); Mingueza and Swedberg expected to start.

‎Prediction: Espanyol 1–1 Celta Vigo

Getafe vs Villarreal

‎Getafe have scored just 18 goals in 23 games. Villarreal dismantled Espanyol 4-1 last weekend and sit fourth on 41 points with a game in hand.

‎Team News: Getafe: Mayoral, Abu Kamara (out). Villarreal: Costa, Foyth (out); Pedraza returns from suspension.

‎Prediction: Getafe 1–2 Villarreal

Sevilla vs Alavés

‎Both sides sit on 25 points with identical records. Sevilla have one win in their last eight. Alavés have scored just 20 goals all season.

‎Team News: Sevilla: Vargas, Marcao, Osco (out); Maupay available. Alavés: Jonny (suspended); Protesoni (doubt).

‎Prediction: Sevilla 1–1 Alavés

Real Oviedo vs Athletic Bilbao

‎Oviedo sit bottom with the league’s weakest attack — 12 goals in 22 games. Athletic arrive in poor form but the Williams brothers return to boost their attack.

‎Team News: Oviedo: Bailly, Ejaria (out). Athletic: Sancet, Yeray, Eguiluz (out); Iñaki and Nico Williams return.

‎Prediction: Real Oviedo 0–0 Athletic Bilbao