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La Liga: Title chasers Real Madrid and Barcelona both in action

It’s still nip and tuck in La Liga. While Real Madrid just about have their noses out in front, Atletico’s game in hand is crucial while Barcelona haven’t given up the chase and it is still a three-horse title race. Here we preview two pivotal games this weekend — Real Madrid v Real Betis and Villarreal v Barcelona. We will assess the odds and team news too.

Real Madrid balancing La Liga and Champions League tasks effectively

Real Madrid are at a critical juncture in their campaign. At the time of writing, they trail La Liga leaders Atletico Madrid by just three points after 31 games played. Zinedine Zidane’s charges are also in the Champions League semi-finals where they face Chelsea. While balancing domestic and European duties can be arduous, Real have carried out both effectively.

While Real have come under staunch criticism at times, they are one of La Liga’s in-form sides. Although they were held to a goalless draw away to Getafe last weekend, Real had previously won four games on the trot. This included a 2-1 win over arch-rivals Barcelona in El Clasico. Karim Benzema has spearheaded Real’s title challenge with 19 La Liga goals this term.

Eden Hazard eyeing emotional reunion with Chelsea

While Eden Hazard’s career at the Spanish giants has been stop-start, the Belgian playmaker could get some minutes under his belt this week. Hazard is poised to face his former club Chelsea next week in the first leg of Real’s Champions League semi-final tie. Additionally, his recovery sessions have been going well. Zidane said: “He is feeling better, and he is ready.”

Real Betis clinging onto Europa League spot

Real Betis have enjoyed a fine campaign, and at the time of writing, they are sixth in La Liga. However, they have become the draw specialists of late, sharing the points in each of their past three La Liga clashes. They may fancy their chances against Real on Saturday evening, against whom they have won two of their past four meetings.

Barcelona celebrate Copa del Rey triumph

Barcelona began what is a crucial week in style, by thrashing Athletic Bilbao 4-0 last weekend in the Copa del Rey final, to clinch their first trophy in two years. Lionel Messi scored a double as Barça tore Bilbao to shreds, and it was Messi’s 35th piece of silverware he has collected with the Catalan outfit. Antoine Griezmann and Frenkie de Jong were also on target.

European Super League puts Barcelona in the spotlight

There are 12 clubs that have formally joined the already controversial European Super League, with Barcelona one of them. The fallout so far has been well documented, and it is unclear yet what sanctions the current European Super League members will face. 

Ronald Koeman’s outfit have lost only one of their past seven La Liga games, and with Messi in their ranks, they will feel confident they can overhaul Atletico. Messi is leading the goal-scoring charts with 23 to his name, and he will fancy adding to his tally against Villarreal on Sunday afternoon.

Messi has been exceptional ever since he burst onto the scene at the Nou Camp and his sheer brilliance is reflected by his scoring stats. He has netted 30 goals or more for the last 13 years. At present, he has scored 31 goals in all competitions this term, and his most prolific season was in the 2011/12 campaign when he netted 73 times.

Villarreal have one eye on Europa League clash against Arsenal

With a Europa League semi-final against Arsenal to look forward to, Villarreal would be forgiven for thinking about that. Although a top-four spot is beyond them this term, they still have work to do in La Liga to seal fifth spot with Real Betis on their coattails.

For Villarreal, they have always found it tough against Barcelona. Last season, they were thrashed 4-1 by Koeman’s side and the head-to-head record weighs heavily in Barça’s favour. The two sides have met in Spain’s top flight on 41 occasions, but Barcelona has claimed victory on 24 occasions. Villarreal’s last victory against Barcelona came back in 2008.

 

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