• Leaders Barcelona face a tricky trip to Real Betis

• Athletic Bilbao host Atletico Madrid in Saturday’s other standout clash

• Real Madrid look to continue their resurgence against Celta Vigo

There is a full slate of LaLiga games to enjoy this weekend, kicking off with Real Oviedo vs Mallorca on Friday night and culminating in Monday’s clash between strugglers Osasuna and Levante. 

Real Oviedo vs Mallorca (Friday, 8pm)

It has yet to be a fairytale return to the top flight for Real Oviedo, who are propping up the table after taking just nine points from their opening 14 games. 

Scoring goals is proving to be a real problem, with Saturday’s 2-0 defeat at Atletico Madrid making it four blanks in a row, but they have at least drawn their last two home games 0-0 and can repeat the feat against Mallorca, who are only four points better off. 

Score prediction: Real Oviedo 0-0 Mallorca

Villarreal vs Getafe (Saturday, 1pm)

Getafe are notorious for using the dark arts to grind out positive results but even Jose Bordalas’ rustic tactics are unlikely to be enough to stop LaLiga’s form team, Villarreal. 

The Yellow Submarine have won their last five league games by an aggregate 13-3 scoreline and should sink Getafe with minimal fuss. 

Score prediction: Villarreal 2-0 Getafe

Alaves vs Real Sociedad (Saturday, 3.15pm)

Real Sociedad’s mini-resurgence was halted by last week’s 3-2 defeat at Villarreal but their seven-match unbeaten run leading up to that loss makes them worthy favourites in Saturday’s Basque derby. 

Three straight LaLiga losses have seen Alaves plummet down the standings and they are likely to come up short against their rivals. 

Score prediction: Alaves 0-1 Real Sociedad

Real Betis vs Barcelona (Saturday, 5.30pm)

The first of two huge fixtures on Saturday sees Real Betis welcome champions Barcelona, with the hosts feeling confident after extending their unbeaten run to eight by following up Sunday’s 2-0 win at rivals Sevilla with a 4-1 rout of Torrent in the Copa del Rey. 

However, Barca proved their attack is still one of the best in Europe when comfortably beating Atletico 3-1 on Tuesday and they could be further boosted by Pedri’s return, suggesting they can edge a Seville spectacle. 

Score prediction: Real Betis 2-3 Barcelona 

Athletic Bilbao vs Atletico Madrid (Saturday, 8pm)

The second scintillating Saturday showdown sees top-four hopefuls Athletic Bilbao and Atletico Madrid clash in the Basque Country. 

Both fell to defeats in the week but Atleti can take more positives from a 3-1 away loss at Barcelona than Bilbao can from a 3-0 home hammering at the hands of Real Madrid. 

Diego Simeone’s Atletico had won seven straight games prior to the defeat in Catalonia and they should have enough to bounce back in the Basque Country. 

Score prediction: Athletic Bilbao 1-2 Atletico Madrid

Elche vs Girona (Sunday, 1pm)

Girona are showing signs of life after a woeful start to the campaign and last Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Real Madrid indicated they can still mix it with the best when Michel’s system gets going. 

That said, drawing is proving to be their speciality, with five of their last nine LaLiga games finishing level. 

That trend is likely to continue against mid-table Elche, who have drawn each of their last three home games. 

Score prediction: Elche 1-1 Girona

Valencia vs Sevilla (Sunday, 3.15pm)

A 4-1 rout of champions Barcelona really should have kickstarted Sevilla’s season but, strangely, it seems to have had the opposite effect. 

The Andalusians have lost five of their subsequent six LaLiga games, scoring just four goals in that run, and are unlikely to take all three points at the Mestalla. 

Carlos Corberan has just about kept himself in a job by going three games without defeat and Valencia’s upward trajectory can continue with a win over struggling Sevilla. 

Score prediction: Valencia 2-1 Sevilla 

Espanyol vs Rayo Vallecano (Saturday, 5.30pm)

Back-to-back wins over Sevilla and Celta Vigo mean Espanyol’s excellent start has continued and LaLiga’s surprise packages start the weekend in sixth. 

Given Rayo Vallecano’s only away win in five has come against amateur outfit CD Yuncos, it seems likely Espanyol can maintain their strong start by taking all three points. 

Score prediction: Espanyol 1-0 Rayo Vallecano

Real Madrid vs Celta Vigo (Sunday, 8pm)

Xabi Alonso is enduring his first tricky spell as Real Madrid boss but, following a run of one win in five, he seems to have Los Blancos back on track, leading them to a 3-0 win at Athletic Bilbao on Wednesday. 

Real should follow that up with another victory against mid-table Celta Vigo, although their visitors have won six of their last nine in all competitions and may be able to net a consolation at the Bernabeu. 

Score prediction: Real Madrid 3-1 Celta Vigo

Osasuna vs Levante (Monday, 8pm)

Levante have gone six LaLiga games without a win and having lost each of their last four, they are extremely hard to trust at Osasuna. 

Monday’s hosts may be only three points better off than their visitors but they have lost just two of their six home games and should pick up a much-needed win.

Score prediction: Osasuna 1-0 Levante