(Football news) LaLiga Santander is back this weekend after a week and a half off, and a new champion can be crowned on Sunday night. With a significant lead at the top of the standings going into Matchday 34, FC Barcelona has a chance to mathematically secure the championship and do so in the Barcelona Derby. One more victory for Barça would be sufficient, regardless of how third-placed Real Madrid or second-placed Atlético de Madrid perform in their respective games.
The round gets underway in the Balearic Islands on Friday night as RCD Mallorca play Cádiz CF before that incredibly important Barcelona Derby. The away team, who is actively competing for survival, will be hoping that their offensive prowess can get past the reliable RCD Mallorca back five.
The first of the four games on Saturday is Real Sociedad vs. Girona FC. Real Sociedad and Girona FC, who are now fourth and seventh in the European qualification standings, will face off in this match. Real Madrid’s victory in the Copa del Rey final means that seventh place is now a Conference League ticket, and the Catalan team is hoping to keep it.
CA Osasuna just lost the Copa del Rey final, but they could still make it to Europe, so they’ll be hoping to get back on track against UD Almeria at home. The fans at El Sadar can anticipate a fantastic response given the effort put out by Jagoba Arrasate’s team in the final in Seville.
Then, Villarreal CF welcome Athletic Club to the east coast while the European conflict continues. These are two more clubs that aim to compete for continental football the next campaign, and the return from injury of star attacker Gerard Moreno will help the home squad. Villarreal CF may start with both up front because Nicolas Jackson has been in excellent form in his absence, scoring four goals in his last three games.
On Saturday night, Real Madrid will play host to a third-place Getafe CF club at the Bernabéu. Getafe will go to Spain’s capital with confidence thanks to José Bordalás’ return as coach and his team’s 1-0 victory over RC Celta in Matchday 33.
When they return to action in Vigo for the opening match on Sunday, RC Celta will then host Valencia CF in an effort to avenge that loss. A sizable crowd is anticipated to support RC Celta at the Estadio Abanca Balados since, if they aren’t careful, they too could fall into the relegation struggle.
Next up is Elche CF vs. Atlético de Madrid, and the home team has already mathematically been demoted. Nevertheless, this is still a fun encounter for the Estadio Manuel Martinez Valero spectators to watch as they take on one of the top teams in Europe right now, Atleti, who have won nine of their last ten games as Antoine Griezmann maintains his outstanding form.
Sunday night, José Luis Mendilibar leads his Sevilla FC team to Real Valladolid, one of his numerous previous organisations. Real Valladolid are still very much in danger, despite Sevilla FC’s recent coaching change helping them escape the relegation zone. Their new manager, Paulo Pezzolano, will seek to stop a run of three straight losses.
Then, on Sunday night at 01:30 IST, is the 176th Barcelona Derby in LaLiga Santander history. And it might be a particularly spectacular one as Barça tries to win the championship in their opponents’ stadium, the RCDE Stadium.
However, they’ll face a very determined foe in Los Pericos, who are desperate for the three points because they’re now in last place in the standings and won’t want to see their opponents celebrating on their ground. A league championship may be celebrated with pyrotechnics, and there will undoubtedly be fireworks on the playing field as these two rivals square off.
One more game is scheduled for Monday night, and Real Betis vs. Rayo Vallecano is a game with a lot on the line. The squad from the capital, who are currently ninth, would like to join Los Verdiblancos, who are currently in the Europa League positions. Isi Palazon, their standout player, has extended his contract through 2028 and will want to continue his strong form in this matchup.
INDIA TIMINGS
Saturday, 13th May, 12:30 a.m., Mallorca vs Cadiz
Saturday, 13th May, 5:30 p.m., Real Sociedad vs Girona
Saturday, 13th May, 7:45 p.m., Osasuna vs Almeria
Saturday, 13th May, 10:00 p.m., Villarreal vs Athletic Club
Sunday, 14th May, 12:30 a.m., Real Madrid vs Getafe
Sunday, 14th May, 5:30 p.m., Celta Vigo vs Valencia
Sunday, 14th May, 7:45 p.m., Elche vs Atletico Madrid
Sunday, 14th May, 10:00 p.m., Valladolid vs Sevilla
Monday, 15th May, 12:30 a.m., Espanyol vs Barcelona
Tuesday, 16th May, 12:30 a.m., Real Betis vs Rayo Vallecano
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