LaLiga Matchday 10: Barca bid to bounce back by sinking Yellow Submarine

It has been a torrid week for Barcelona — the Blaugrana followed up a damaging Champions League draw with Inter Milan by losing to Real Madrid in El Clasico. 

Xavi's men will be looking to put things right against Villarreal on Matchday 10, while their table-topping rivals face bottom side Elche on Wednesday. 

Elsewhere, a derby clash with Rayo Vallecano lies in store for Atletico Madrid, with fellow top-four hopefuls Real Betis taking on Cadiz. 

And Sevilla will be looking to build on their weekend victory over Mallorca when they host upwardly mobile Valencia.

Game of the week: Barcelona vs Villarreal (Thursday, 8pm)

With their continental hopes in tatters, success in LaLiga is more important than ever to Barcelona — but they are now three points off the pace after losing 3-1 to Real Madrid. 

However, it is surely too early to press the panic button in Catalonia. After all, Barca had won seven league matches in succession before Sunday, only dropping points in their season opener against Rayo Vallecano (0-0). 

They can also rely on the goals of Robert Lewandowski, who has struck nine times in LaLiga already — two more than nearest rivals Joselu (Espanyol) and Borja Iglesias (Real Betis). 

A home fixture against inconsistent Villarreal could be the perfect opportunity for boss Xavi to get things back on track. They have failed to win in four of their last five league outings, though the Yellow Submarine have picked up a commendable eight points on the road.

Elche vs Real Madrid (Wednesday, 8pm)

Things could not be going much better for Real Madrid after securing bragging rights at the Bernabeu on Sunday. 

They remain unbeaten in the league after nine outings, having only dropped points in a 1-1 draw with Osasuna earlier this month. 

And Carlo Ancelotti's outfit will be confident of picking up another win at Elche, who are yet to triumph all season and have just three points on the board. 

Los Franjiverdes have drawn their last two fixtures, though — including at Valencia on Matchday 9 — so Real will need to make sure they navigate a potentially embarrassing banana skin.

Atletico Madrid vs Rayo Vallecano (Tuesday, 8pm)

Atletico Madrid may be struggling on the continent — but they continue to go from strength to strength in LaLiga. 

A derby defeat to Real Madrid on Matchday 6 is the only blot on their copybook in seven league outings, while Diego Simeone's unit have won three on the bounce. 

Antoine Griezmann netted the winning goal in the latest of those victories — a 1-0 triumph at Athletic Bilbao — as the Frenchman marked his permanent return to the Colchoneros in style. 

Do not bet against him scoring again on Tuesday night — only three teams have leaked more than Rayo's eight away goals conceded in 2022-23.

Cadiz vs Real Betis (Wednesday, 6pm)

This fixture at Estadio Nuevo Mirandilla will have implications at both ends of the table. Cadiz are embroiled in a relegation battle and sit 19th after nine matches, while Real Betis currently occupy a place in LaLiga's top four. 

It is easy to identify the root of Cadiz's struggles — they have scored just four times all season, with no Los Piratas player netting more than once. 

Manuel Pellegrini's visitors boast significantly more threat, though only three of their league goals have come away from home. 

That will offer hope to the hosts, who are looking to build on an unbeaten run of four matches (one win, three draws) since mid-September.

Sevilla vs Valencia (Tuesday, 6pm)

The Jorge Sampaoli era is up and running in Andalucia — but there is still plenty of work to do after Sevilla's shocking start to the season. 

Nonetheless, their 1-0 win over Mallorca last Saturday has provided a platform for Los Nervionenses' well-travelled coach to build upon in the weeks ahead. 

They will face a tough test against Valencia, though, as Los Che go in search of European qualification after a strong first nine rounds of action. 

Despite no Valencia player scoring more than two goals, they are the division's fourth-highest scorers (16) to date. 

That is largely thanks to the creative skills of Hugo Guillamon, who has registered three assists this season — Sevilla will need to keep him quiet to come away with anything on Tuesday night.

The week's other games

Getafe vs Athletic Bilbao (Tuesday, 7pm) 

Real Valladolid vs Celta Vigo (Wednesday, 6pm) 

Real Sociedad vs Mallorca (Wednesday, 7pm) 

Almeria vs Girona (Thursday, 6pm) 

Osasuna vs Espanyol (Thursday, 7pm)

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