La Liga preview: A huge week in La Liga

La Liga Match Preview La Liga: Barcelona, Atlético Madrid and Real Madrid involved in exhilarating title race

The La Liga title race has been pulsating this term, and there are still three teams jostling for the Championship. We will preview this week’s blockbuster showdowns, which include Barcelona v Atlético Madrid on Saturday, and Real Madrid v Sevilla, which takes place a day later. Reference will be made to the latest match odds and we discuss the talking points.

Barcelona still keeping themselves in the title picture

With the Copa del Rey already bagged, Barcelona will be eager to complete a domestic double. Although the Catalan giants suffered a surprise 2-1 home defeat at the end of last month, it didn’t prove to be too costly. They recovered efficiently last weekend, seeing off Valencia in a 3-2 thriller.

Barca’s victory kept them in third place. They are now level on points with second-placed Real Madrid, and just two points adrift of Atlético Madrid with four games to play. However, Barcelona have tasted defeat on six occasions this term — more than both Atlético and Real (four). Ronald Koeman’s men therefore can’t afford to be too open or else they will be picked off by Atlético.

Lionel Messi provides free-kick masterclass against Valencia

So far this term, Lionel Messi has been in scintillating form. He has netted 28 La Liga goals, which is seven more than his nearest rival Karim Benzema. Messi has made scoring from set pieces an art. Against Valencia, one of his goals came from a free-kick, and it was sublime. Now, Messi has scored 50 career free-kicks in a Barcelona shirt in all competitions.

Barcelona hoping to make amends at home against Atlético Madrid

Barcelona will be looking to get one over on Atlético Madrid at the Nou Camp this weekend. Earlier this term, Atlético Madrid claimed a 1-0 victory over Barca, and Yannick Carrasco popped up with the only goal of the game on the stroke of half-time. Diego Simeone’s charges will be pumped, and eager to complete a rare double over Barca.

Atlético Madrid will hold onto special Nou Camp memories

Atlético could end their long wait to secure the La Liga title in a few weeks. In 2014, they went to the Nou Camp and secured a 1-1 draw to clinch their first league title in 18 years. Simeone’s men will know the stakes that are involved, but the Nou Camp will still hold fond memories. They should feel confident of getting a result.

Real Madrid learning to keep things tight at the back

Real have been watertight at the back in the past few weeks. In their last five La Liga outings, Los Blancos have conceded just once, and that came in a 2-1 victory in El Clásico against bitter rivals Barcelona. Zinedine Zidane’s men have been held to two draws in their past four league fixtures.

Following their exit from the Champions League, Real are at a critical juncture of the season. Real won’t want to relinquish their title just yet, and clean sheets are always warmly welcomed!

While they are six points adrift of table-toppers Atlético, Sevilla won’t want to throw in the towel just yet. Although overhauling Atlético will be a tall order, Sevilla are already guaranteed a top-four spot. However, if they win their remaining games, they could pip Real and Barcelona to second spot.

Real Madrid v Sevilla: A tale of past La Liga encounters

Real Madrid v Sevilla has been a storied encounter in La Liga. Unsurprisingly, Real have come out on top. Indeed, Sunday’s clash will represent the 50th meeting in Spain’s top flight. Los Blancos have prevailed on 33 occasions, while Sevilla have won 13 times and there have been 3 draws.

Earlier this term, Real pinched a 1-0 victory away to Sevilla. An own goal by Sevilla shot-stopper Bono 10 minutes after the restart, proved to be the difference. Victories in the Spanish capital have been hard to come by for Sevilla, with their last win arriving in December 2004 when Julio Baptista netted the only goal of the game.

It’s tight at the top, and anything can happen. Have you picked your La Liga winners yet?

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