(Football news) Real Madrid are 7 points clear at the top of the La Liga table followed by Atletico Madrid who have a game in hand. Barcelona are still struggling at the 7th spot. The match is very important for both the Madrid clubs with the Madrid derby set to be played next weekend. Neither team can afford to go into the grudge match after a loss.
Barcelona hosts Real Betis in a must win game. The Blaugrana are yet to lose a game under Xavi but the performances have been underwhelming and the results have been heavily influenced by luck. A loss in this game could result in Barcelona dropping down to as far as 10th. Barcelona are still without Sergi Roberto, Pedri, Ansu Fati, Martin Braithwaite and Sergio Aguero. After playing 25 minutes in the last 3 games Ousmane Dembélé could get his first start of the season.
After their convincing 4-1 win away at Cadiz midweek, Atletico Madrid will play Mallorca at the Wanda Metropolitano. Kieran Trippier is still out with a shoulder injury while Joao Felix could return to the bench. Resting some of his key players might be on Diego Simeone's mind as they play for survival against Porto in the UCL on Tuesday before going across town to the Santiago Bernabeu next Sunday.
Real Madrid play Real Sociedad at the Reale Arena. Los Blancos are 7 points clear at the top of the table. La Real on the other hand are having a good season as they are joint 2nd on the table. Carlo Ancelotti has already said that he will not be rotating much of the team despite having a match against Inter and the Madrid derby coming up. The only changes expected would be the return of Dani Carvajal and Rodrygo in place of Lucas Vazquez and Marco Asensio. Dani Ceballos is still a long way away from fitness. Gareth Bale has started training with the group but the match comes a little too soon for him. The Welshman could get a few minutes in the Madrid derby next weekend.
