Barcelona lead the way in LaLiga with nine games left to play
Real Madrid are just four points behind their rivals
Basement boys Real Oviedo are eight points from safety
Saturday's showdown between Atletico Madrid and Barcelona is the standout fixture on LaLiga's first fixture list since the international break, but there are plenty of other top clashes taking place.
Relegation rivals Rayo Vallecano and Elche get things underway on Friday before a busy weekend comes to a climax with Villarreal's trip to Girona.
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Rayo Vallecano vs Elche (Friday, 8pm)
No LaLiga team has picked up fewer away points than Elche's four this season and that measly tally is unlikely to be built upon at Rayo Vallecano, who have lost only two of their last 15 home matches.
Score prediction: Rayo Vallecano 2-1 Elche
Real Sociedad vs Levante (Saturday, 1pm)
Real Sociedad are in the hunt for a European spot but their progress may be halted by a resurgent Levante.
Saturday's visitors have gone four games without a defeat and can frustrate their hosts.
Score prediction: Real Sociedad 1-1 Levante
Mallorca vs Real Madrid (Saturday, 3.15pm)
Alvaro Arbeloa's Real Madrid tenure got off to a rocky start, but he now has the fans back on board after five straight wins, a run which includes two victories over Manchester City and a derby success.
That spells trouble for Mallorca and a sixth defeat in eight awaits the Pirates.
Score prediction: Mallorca 0-2 Real Madrid
Real Betis vs Espanyol (Saturday, 5.30pm)
Out-of-form Real Betis have managed only one win in seven, but they have plenty of quality players and can pick up a much-needed victory when Espanyol, a team still searching for a first away success of 2026, visit Seville.
Score prediction: Real Betis 3-1 Espanyol
Atletico Madrid vs Barcelona (Saturday, 8pm)
LaLiga's standout fixture is unlikely to disappoint.
Barcelona can prevail despite the absence of Raphinha, but Atletico Madrid will give the leaders a great game and the goals should flow.
The pair's last six meetings have produced a total of 26 goals and another thriller is on the cards.
Score prediction: Atletico Madrid 2-3 Barcelona
Getafe vs Athletic Bilbao (Sunday, 1pm)
Athletic Bilbao snapped a three-game losing streak by beating Real Betis last time, but they may have to settle for a point at notoriously tough-to-beat Getafe, who have won three of their last four.
Score prediction: Getafe 0-0 Athletic Bilbao
Valencia vs Celta Vigo (Sunday, 3.15pm)
Three wins in four has seen Valencia distance themselves from the relegation battle and, with Celta Vigo having one eye on Thursday Europa League quarter-final first leg against Freiburg, the good times can continue.
Score prediction: Valencia 2-1 Celta Vigo
Real Oviedo vs Sevilla (Sunday, 5.30pm)
Sevilla are without a win in four but they still have some quality players and should snap that run at basement boys Oviedo, who have won just four games all season.
Score prediction: Real Oviedo 0-2 Sevilla
Alaves vs Osasuna (Sunday, 8pm)
Alaves snapped a seven-game winless run with a 4-3 success at Celta Vigo before the international break, but they may have to settle for a point on Sunday given that Osasuna have lost only two of their last 10 matches.
Score prediction: Alaves 1-1 Osasuna
Girona vs Villarreal (Monday, 8pm)
Girona have pulled themselves away from danger with a run of just two defeats in seven, but they are still some way off the level of top-four hopefuls Villarreal, who have won four of their last six.
Score prediction: Girona 1-3 Villarreal
