Diego Costa: his goal on Wednesday left Atletico on course for their first league title since 1996. AP / Press Association Images
AP / Press Association Images / Press Association Images
State of Play
What happened in their last games?
Barcelona blew the title race wide open with a thrilling 4-3 Clásico win in Madrid last Sunday night but all of the contenders have played again since — and things have been shaken up even more.
Diego Costa got the game’s only goal as Atletico won 1-0 at home to Granada, keeping them on top of the pile and one point clear of Barcelona who had a pretty routine 3-0 win at home to Celta Vigo.
Advertisement
Real could have retaken top spot with a win but they went down 2-1 against fifth-place Sevilla thanks to two goals from Carlos Bacca.
AP / Press Association Images
AP / Press Association Images / Press Association Images
Who is playing who?
Espanyol v Barcelona (Saturday 3pm): Barca face the short trip across town for the derby against city rivals Espanyol and they shouldn’t have too much problem against a side who have only taken eight points from their last six games in the league.
Andres Iniesta is a slight injury doubt after he came off at half-time against Celta Vigo with a muscle problem.
Athletic Bilbao v Atletico Madrid (Saturday 7pm): Apart from their final day trip to the Camp Nou, this looks to be the toughest game in Atletico’s run-in.
Diego Simeone’s side haven’t conceded a goal in their last four games, which has made them literally impossible to beat, but Athletic have only lost once in their last 12 league games. A Diego Costa goal four minutes from time was all that separated the sides when they last met in a 2-1 win for Atletico, and it’s likely to be that close again.
AP / Press Association Images
AP / Press Association Images / Press Association Images
Real Madrid v Rayo Vallecano (Saturday 9pm): After two defeats in the space of four days, Real desperately need to be their former convincing selves again this evening against Rayo.
Carlo Ancelotti played all relevant lip service to the visitors in his pre-match press conference but this is a game that his side should be winning by three or four, at minimum.
Predictions?
Easy wins for Barca and Real, with Atletico to grind out a narrow win from their tricky trip to Bilbao.
What's going on in the La Liga title race this weekend?
State of Play
What happened in their last games?
Barcelona blew the title race wide open with a thrilling 4-3 Clásico win in Madrid last Sunday night but all of the contenders have played again since — and things have been shaken up even more.
Diego Costa got the game’s only goal as Atletico won 1-0 at home to Granada, keeping them on top of the pile and one point clear of Barcelona who had a pretty routine 3-0 win at home to Celta Vigo.
Real could have retaken top spot with a win but they went down 2-1 against fifth-place Sevilla thanks to two goals from Carlos Bacca.
Who is playing who?
Espanyol v Barcelona (Saturday 3pm): Barca face the short trip across town for the derby against city rivals Espanyol and they shouldn’t have too much problem against a side who have only taken eight points from their last six games in the league.
Andres Iniesta is a slight injury doubt after he came off at half-time against Celta Vigo with a muscle problem.
Athletic Bilbao v Atletico Madrid (Saturday 7pm): Apart from their final day trip to the Camp Nou, this looks to be the toughest game in Atletico’s run-in.
Diego Simeone’s side haven’t conceded a goal in their last four games, which has made them literally impossible to beat, but Athletic have only lost once in their last 12 league games. A Diego Costa goal four minutes from time was all that separated the sides when they last met in a 2-1 win for Atletico, and it’s likely to be that close again.
Real Madrid v Rayo Vallecano (Saturday 9pm): After two defeats in the space of four days, Real desperately need to be their former convincing selves again this evening against Rayo.
Carlo Ancelotti played all relevant lip service to the visitors in his pre-match press conference but this is a game that his side should be winning by three or four, at minimum.
Predictions?
Easy wins for Barca and Real, with Atletico to grind out a narrow win from their tricky trip to Bilbao.
Bookies make Suarez a 1/10 shot… so is it all over in the race for PFA Player of the Year?
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
La Liga Run-in Atlético Madrid Barcelona Real Madrid