La Liga Preview: Real Madrid Must Win As Barcelona Faces Villarreal In Crucial Clash

La Liga edges towards the winter break with the title race finely poised and survival battles intensifying.

Real Madrid vs Sevilla

‎Madrid are second, four points behind Barcelona. Sevilla are ninth after a 4-0 win over Oviedo but have not beaten Real Madrid away in La Liga since 2008. Madrid are unbeaten in their last 13 meetings with Sevilla.

‎Team News: Madrid: Several defensive absences; Mbappe starts despite knee issue. Sevilla: Romero returns from suspension.

‎Prediction: Real Madrid 2–0 Sevilla

Osasuna vs Alaves

‎Osasuna are 16th, level on points with the relegation zone. Alaves are 12th but winless in 11 meetings against Osasuna (8 losses) and have just one away win all season.

‎Prediction: Osasuna 1–0 Alaves

Villarreal vs Barcelona

‎Barcelona lead the table on a seven-game winning streak with 49 league goals. Villarreal are third with the league’s best defensive record and on a six-game winning run.

‎Team News: Barcelona: Pedri (major doubt); several absences. Villarreal: Key players missing through injury and AFCON.

‎Prediction: Villarreal 1–2 Barcelona