.png)
LaLiga Santander returns this weekend following the January international break with Matchday 23. There are several important fixtures for Spanish football fans to sink their teeth into, and for some of the winter signings to debut in, not least the blockbuster FC Barcelona vs Atlético de Madrid clash at the Camp Nou on Sunday afternoon.
Before that, the matchday begins with a relegation six-pointer on Friday as Getafe CF take on Levante UD at the Coliseum Alfonso Pérez. For bottom-placed Levante, this is a must-win if they want to reignite their hopes of survival, while Geta come into this game full of confidence as they have won five of their past six home matches. Quique Sánchez Flores’ side will look for another three-point haul at home, especially after a successful January transfer window in which the Azulones brought in five new players.
The first two fixtures of Saturday are also huge for the relegation battle, with Elche CF vs D. Alavés and RCD Mallorca vs Cádiz CF. The two home sides in these matches are currently hovering just outside the relegation zone, while Alavés and Cádiz CF are firmly inside the bottom three and in need of results. This should make for some interesting Saturday afternoon football.
On Saturday evening, RC Celta welcome Rayo Vallecano to north-western Spain for a mid-table battle as both these sides seek a win that would keep their hopes of European qualification alive. They drew in Vallecas earlier in the season, so this promises to be another tight battle between two evenly matched teams.
The late 9pm CET game on Sunday night is a huge one for the title race as Sevilla FC visit CA Osasuna. With Julen Lopetegui’s charges just four points behind leaders Real Madrid in the LaLiga Santander standings, they can really put the pressure on with a victory and they’ll be looking to January signings Anthony Martial and Tecatito Corona for some inspiration ahead of the final months of the campaign. Sevilla haven’t won the Spanish league title since 1945/46, but they’re firmly in this year’s race.
There is then a super Sunday of four more huge fixtures, starting with Valencia CF vs Real Sociedad. These are two of Spanish football’s biggest clubs and both want to qualify for Europe next season. As they face off for the three points at Mestalla, two very different styles of football will be on show and that only adds to the intrigue.
Next up is a heavyweight bout between FC Barcelona and Atlético de Madrid at the Camp Nou, which kicks off at 4.15pm CET. Over the past few years, these two clubs have tended to face off in title race six-pointers, but this meeting is all about qualifying for next year’s Champions League, as Atleti are currently fourth on 36 points and Barça sit just one behind in fifth on 35. This will also be the first meeting between Xavi and Diego Simeone in the dugouts, while there could even be some debuts in this game, such as a ‘re-debut’ for the Blaugrana’s new arrival Adama Traoré.
Real Betis vs Villarreal CF is the next fixture on Sunday’s packed slate, as Manuel Pellegrini takes on his former club with the aim of keeping up the Verdiblancos’ excellent recent form. Real Betis scored four goals in each of their past two league fixtures, beating Alavés 4-0 and then RCD Espanyol 4-1. They are truly in terrific form, but Villarreal are always a tough prospect.
The 9pm CET Sunday night fixture sees Granada CF visit the Bernabéu, with Real Madrid looking to keep title challengers Sevilla FC at arm’s length and looking to add to their current streak of 13 consecutive wins over the Nazaríes. Granada, though, have just signed exciting Uruguayan talent Matías Arezo and he could debut in the capital.
Matchday 23 then concludes in the Basque Country on Monday night, with Athletic Club vs RCD Espanyol. This fixture has been taking place since the very first LaLiga Santander season back in 1929 and has been very evenly matched over the years. It was 1-1 when they met earlier this campaign and another tight tussle can be expected to round off this weekend’s action.
Watch LaLiga Santander live this weekend on BeINSports
