LaLiga Matchday 20: Barca bid to extend lead against resurgent Sevilla

Barcelona will be looking to extend their lead at the top of LaLiga when they host a resurgent Sevilla side at Camp Nou. 

Second-placed Real Madrid, meanwhile, can boost their own chances of retaining the title by picking up maximum points from their trip to Mallorca. 

Real Sociedad, fresh from securing a battling point at the Bernabeu, face a visit from relegation-threatened Real Valladolid, while top-four contenders Atletico Madrid host Getafe. 

Elsewhere, bottom-of-the-league Elche entertain European hopefuls Villarreal as they continue their search for a first league victory of the campaign.

Game of the week: Barcelona vs Sevilla (Sunday, 8pm)

Barcelona's 2-1 victory at 10-man Real Betis last time out ensured that they hit the 50-point mark at the halfway stage of their season. 

Jules Kounde's late own goal was just the seventh the Blaugrana have conceded in the league this term — half as many as the next best defence going into Matchday 20. 

Xavi's side are unbeaten in their previous 14 games in all competitions and have gone 10 LaLiga matches without defeat. 

In Robert Lewandowski, they boast the division's top scorer — he added his 14th league strike of the season in just his 16th appearance on Wednesday night. 

Sevilla's newfound form — having won both of their most recent two league games to move two points clear of the drop zone — may well hit a bump in the road in Catalonia if the Poland star is customarily lethal in front of goal.

Mallorca vs Real Madrid (Sunday, 1pm)

Real Madrid remain five points behind league leaders Barcelona heading into Matchday 20 — they must put together a ruthless run of form if they are to capitalise on any potential slip-ups from the Blaugrana. 

Los Blancos' 2-0 victory over Valencia last time out ensured they sit atop at least one chart in the division — the goals scored column. No side has netted more than their total of 40 goals in 19 games, one more than Barca ahead of this gameweek.

Carlo Ancelotti's side have shown improved defensive solidity of late as well, keeping three successive LaLiga clean sheets.

Their next opponents, Mallorca, have been in patchy form. Javier Aguirre's outfit have lost each of their last three away games without scoring — but have secured three consecutive 1-0 victories on home soil. Los Piratas will hope to extend that streak against the reigning champions.

Real Sociedad vs Real Valladolid (Sunday, 5.30pm)

While Real Sociedad's goalless draw at the Bernabeu ended a five-game winning run in LaLiga, it stretched their unbeaten streak in the competition to seven. 

Going into Matchday 20, their position in third is unassailable — they are five points ahead of fourth-placed Atletico Madrid and eight clear of Villarreal and Real Betis, in fifth and sixth respectively. 

La Real have coped well despite a lengthy injury list that includes LaLiga's assist leader Mikel Merino (seven), though his absence may give strugglers Real Valladolid a glimmer of hope. 

A 1-0 win over Valencia last time out ended their five-match losing streak but did little to boost their paltry goals scored tally — only bottom club Elche (12) have netted fewer than their 14. 

Valladolid are just a point above the relegation zone and could well find themselves in the bottom three after their clash with Imanol Alguacil's men.

Atletico Madrid vs Getafe (Saturday, 5.30pm)

Atletico Madrid are enduring an inconsistent season as Diego Simeone's tenure at the capital club reportedly draws to a close. 

However, Los Colchoneros have won their last two league matches without conceding as they look to retain their spot in the top four, with just a three-point gap between them and the chasing pack. 

Just two sides (Barcelona and Real Madrid) have scored more goals going into Matchday 20, while only Barca and Villarreal have conceded fewer — but Atleti are not content unless they are unsettling Spain's two biggest clubs. 

Their next opponents — Getafe — are on a four-game losing streak in LaLiga, having failed to score in each of their last two. 

Antoine Griezmann, who has six goals and six assists in the league this season, will be eager to add to those tallies and spur his side on to a third successive victory.

Elche vs Villarreal (Saturday, 3.15pm)

Elche are enduring a spectacularly poor campaign. 

They have earned a third of their six LaLiga points this term in the last three games — drawing twice and losing once. 

Pablo Machin's team are a whopping 14 points from safety and have scored the fewest (12) and conceded the most (39) goals in the division this season ahead of this gameweek. 

Villarreal suffered a disappointing 1-0 home defeat at the hands of Rayo Vallecano last Monday — but they will view this clash as the perfect opportunity to get back to winning ways.

The weekend's other games

Athletic Bilbao vs Cadiz (Friday, 8pm) 

Espanyol vs Osasuna (Saturday, 1pm) 

Real Betis vs Celta Vigo (Saturday, 8pm) 

Girona vs Valencia (Sunday, 3.15pm) 

Rayo Vallecano vs Almeria (Monday, 8pm) 

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