LaLiga Matchday 25: Barca need to be at the races against Athletic

Barcelona are now nine points clear at LaLiga's summit but Xavi will not be resting on his laurels when his men take on Athletic Bilbao this Sunday.

The Catalans could extend their lead further should challengers Real Madrid drop more points against inconsistent Espanyol in Saturday's early kick-off.

Elsewhere, European hopefuls Villarreal and Real Betis do battle on Sunday, while third-placed Atletico Madrid travel to Girona on Monday night.

There is a huge game at the bottom of the table too as surprise strugglers Sevilla look for three points when they host fellow Andalusian outfit Almeria.

Game of the weekend: Athletic Bilbao vs Barcelona (Sunday, 8pm)

Athletic welcome Barca to San Mames having not won any of their last six LaLiga clashes with Sunday's visitors (one draw, five defeats) since they beat them 1-0 back in August 2019.

That was also the last time the Blaugrana suffered defeat in the Basque Country, taking points in each of their subsequent 11 visits (eight wins, three draws).

The smart money would be on a narrow away win in this encounter. Xavi's side have won eight top-flight games 1-0 so far this season, which is more than any other team in the top five European leagues.

Ernesto Valverde will come up against his former employers having lost all of his last eight matches against the current league leaders.

Real Madrid vs Espanyol (Saturday, 1pm)

Real Madrid host Espanyol at the Bernabeu on Saturday lunchtime with Carlo Ancelotti's men bidding to cut the gap to the top.

Los Blancos enjoy a great record against their visitors from Catalonia. They have won 15 of their last 17 LaLiga meetings (two draws), having scored more goals (387) and recorded more victories (106) than against any other team in the competition.

Visiting coach Diego Martinez has lost all five of his encounters with Madrid so far in his promising career, including a 3-1 home defeat earlier this term.

However, one ray of optimism is the record that Martinez's No9 Joselu enjoys facing the reigning European champions. 

He has scored seven goals in nine games against them — a record only bettered by Barca legend Luis Suarez since 2015-16.

Villarreal vs Real Betis (Sunday, 5.30pm)

Real Betis travel to take on European rivals Villarreal on Sunday in what promises to be an evenly-matched encounter at La Ceramica.

It is the hosts who have historically triumphed in this fixture, with the Yellow Submarine winning five of their last six meetings with the Andalusians on home soil.

Despite their 4-1 Europa League thumping at Manchester United on Thursday night, Los Verdiblancos do come into this one in good form domestically. 

Manuel Pellegrini's men have not lost any of their last four league matches (three wins, one draw). That is their longest run without defeat in the league this season.

One man who will welcome Betis to town is Jose Luis Morales, with the striker having netted an impressive six goals against them in 13 top-flight fixtures.

Girona vs Atletico Madrid (Monday, 8pm)

A finely-balanced contest looks likely when Girona and Atletico Madrid meet on Monday evening.

History, however, suggests that securing victory will be a tall order for the Catalan hosts. They have played seven games in all competitions against Los Colchoneros and are still without a win (five draws, two defeats).

Both these sides are motoring along nicely this term. Girona have won three of their last five league games (two defeats) while Atleti have not lost any of their previous eight in LaLiga (five wins, three draws).

The two teams have also been free-scoring recently. Girona (18) and Atleti (17) have netted more goals than everybody else in LaLiga since the competition restarted after the World Cup.

Sevilla vs Almeria (Sunday, 3.15pm)

There is an Andalusian derby to look forward to on Sunday afternoon as Sevilla welcome Almeria to the Sanchez-Pizjuan for a crucial relegation clash.

Though the pair are level on points, a draw looks unlikely. Sevilla and Almeria have never played out such a result in their 13 top-tier meetings — the former hold the advantage in that regard, having won nine to the latter's four.

The hosts come into this game needing to get back to winning ways in LaLiga. Though they secured a morale-boosting Europa League victory over Fenerbahce on Thursday, Sevilla have suffered back-to-back defeats at the hands of Atletico Madrid and Osasuna in the league.

If they are to come good, it is a safe bet that Moroccan marksman Youssef En-Nesyri will be their key player. He has scored five goals in his last six LaLiga appearances, which is as many as in his previous 39 matches in the competition.

The weekend's other games

Cadiz vs Getafe (Friday, 8pm) 

Elche vs Real Valladolid (Saturday, 3,15pm) 

Celta Vigo vs Rayo Vallecano (Saturday, 5.30pm) 

Valencia vs Osasuna (Saturday, 8pm) 

Mallorca vs Real Sociedad (Sunday, 1pm)

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