There are football games to come, but one undoubtedly stands out for punters and sports betting fans alike.
The clash of the top two offers the most tantalising betting odds and a chance to reawaken the race for La Liga.
Don’t forget the meeting of the basement battlers either!
WEEK 18 SATURDAY:
Leganes vs Athletic Bilbao
This is a real chance for Leganes to build some distance between themselves and the bottom three.
Bilbao will be tough opponents in seventh spot.
But after their heroic but, ultimately, unsuccessful Copa del Rey exit in midweek, their energy levels may be restricted.
Barcelona vs Las Palmas
With the top two meeting, Barcelona need to take advantage and build on that cup victory over Bilbao.
Luis Enrique’s side may not have hit their usual heights of late.
Yet trailing Real Madrid by five points, and a game in hand, they can’t contemplate anything but three points in this one.
WEEK 18 SUNDAY:
Atletico Madrid vs Real Betis
As Atletico start the run to their final six months at the Estadio Vicente Calderon, they need an upsurge in form.
The Rojiblancos will likely be missing Juanfran and Yannick Carrasco.
But they should have too much against opponents who have never defeated them since Diego Simeone took over.
Deportivo La Coruna vs Villarreal
The Yellow Submarine lie in fifth spot and need to keep getting positive results to stay ahead of the chasing pack.
Only a last-gasp free-kick denied Villarreal a famous victory over Barca last weekend.
Inconsistent Deportivo will offer a very different test.
Valencia vs Espanyol
Surely, Valencia won’t be relegated?
It’s a question which keeps being asked as the pressure continues to grow on owner Peter Lim (perhaps he should have given Gary Neville more time!).
A meagre 12 points from 17 matches and no clean sheets, they now need to start winning for Voro Gonzalez, who has been confirmed as coach for the remainder of the season.
Celta Vigo vs Alaves
Two sides in mid-table who have headed in slightly different directions in recent months.
Celta have slipped out of the race for Europe, while newly promoted Alaves have climbed comfortably to mid-table.
Their away-goals victory over Deportivo in the Copa del Rey in midweek is testament to that.
WEEK 18 MONDAY:
Granada vs Osasuna
The bottom two meet and the importance of this clash cannot be underestimated.
A draw is the last thing either side wants, and a defeat would leave the losers facing an uphill battle.
There should be entertainment, considering that both teams ship goals – Osasuna shared six with Valencia at the weekend.
Sporting Gijon vs Eibar
It’s games like this that Gijon must win if they are to pull clear of the drop zone.
They host Eibar who are through to the quarter-finals in the Copa del Rey.
The El Molinon clash may come down to confidence.
Sevilla vs Real Madrid
What a contest this is – but will it live up to the midweek cup thriller?
Zinedine Zidane made his priority clear when he gave some squad players a chance in their Copa del Rey meeting in midweek – and he could afford to as Real launched a comeback and progressed with a bit to spare.
Jorge Sampaoli kept a strong line-up for continuity purposes with new arrival Stefan Jovetic strengthening them ahead of the second of the double-header at the Estadio Ramon Sanchez.
WEEK 18 TUESDAY:
Malaga vs Real Sociedad
It will be a meeting of two clubs in need of some bouncebackability.
Malaga’s 3-1 defeat to Celta Vigo paled in comparison to Sociedad’s 4-0 home humbling by Sevilla last weekend.
It will be interesting to see how the Europa League qualification contenders now react.
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