LaLiga Matchday 29: A statistical guide to this weekend's games
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The big game in LaLiga this weekend is without doubt Atletico Madrid’s visit to fourth-placed Sevilla on Sunday evening.
Atleti are protecting a four-point lead going into Matchday 29 and with Barcelona and Real Madrid both facing home games against teams in LaLiga's bottom five, Diego Simeone’s leaders cannot afford any hiccups at the Estadio Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan.
Levante 0-2 Huesca
Two Rafa Mir goals either side of half-time gave bottom club Huesca a surprise win at mid-table Levante.
Mir claimed his ninth goal of the season on 15 minutes, converting a pinpoint crossfield ball from David Ferreiro, from close range.
The on-loan Wolves man doubled Huesca's lead on 54 minutes with a touch of absolute quality. From a breakaway, Mir collected Jaime Seoane's pass in his stride, before chipping the ball first-time from the edge of the penalty area and over stranded Levante keeper Aitor Fernandez.
It was just Huesca's fourth away win in 34 LaLiga games and lifted them into 18th place, a point above Eibar and Alaves, heading into the weekend matches.
Granada vs Villarreal (Saturday, 1pm BST)
Villarreal have been rejuvenated in their first season under former Arsenal boss Unai Emery, assembling a club record 18-game unbeaten run just before the tun of the year.
The visitors have also not lost to Granada in any of their past nine games in the league, though Granada did force a 2-2 draw in the corresponding fixture in January.
Real Madrid vs Eibar (Saturday, 3.15pm)
Karim Benzema’s two-goal haul in the 3-1 win at Celta Vigo had extra significance heading into the international break.
Benzema has now equalled his best scoring streak of six games in a row, set for Real Madrid between January and February of 2016.
The Frenchman, 33, has netted eight goals in his latest six-game salvo in all competitions and has also scored five goals in his last four appearances against Eibar, weighing in with two assists.
Real have already suffered shock home defeats to Cadiz, Alaves and Levante this season, but it would take a brave man to fancy the chances of Eibar here — especially as they are suffering a run of no wins in their last nine away games.
Osasuna vs Getafe (Saturday, 5.30pm)
Getafe have the upper hand in recent contests between these two, winning five and drawing seven of the last 14 meetings.
But they are not travelling well at the moment, with five straight defeats on the road and only one win in their last 10 games home and away in LaLiga.
Osasuna sit just one point above them but have picked up a bit of form with three wins and two draws from their last seven games.
Alaves vs Celta Vigo (Sunday, 1pm)
Alaves have been relying on the goals of Joselu to haul them out of trouble.
The Spanish striker, 31, has bagged five of the club’s last eight goals in LaLiga, including the last three the team have managed at home.
But five defeats and a draw from their last six LaLiga games have proved he cannot perform a rescue act alone.
Celta Vigo began 2021 in sloppy fashion, losing four league and cup games on the bounce, but have since steadied the ship with two wins and five draws from their last nine.
Having won the reverse fixture 2-0, they could do a LaLiga double over Alaves for the first time.
Elche vs Real Betis (Sunday, 3.15pm)
Elche will be glad to be back on home soil as only two of their last eight games in LaLiga have been at Estadio Martinez Valero.
Those games provided the two wins they have collected in that period, the most recent being an impressive 2-1 victory over high-flying Sevilla.
Real Betis are on a hot streak right now having secured five wins from six outings — penalty taker Borja Iglesias weighing in with three goals along the way.
Cadiz vs Valencia (Sunday, 5.30pm)
Cadiz are flirting with trouble after a run of just one win in their last 10 LaLiga games.
For fans of quirky stats, they are one of just three sides in the top five European leagues who have not scored a goal from outside the box this season, along with Verona and Augsburg.
Valencia’s present bout of travel sickness has seen them lose their last three away games, all without scoring. The last time they lost four in a row away from home was in October 2012.
Sevilla vs Atletico Madrid (Sunday, 8pm)
Atletico Madrid captain Koke can be forgiven for checking the fixture list for games against Sevilla. Seven of his 36 goals for Atleti in LaLiga have come in his 19 appearances against the six-time Europa League winners.
And the significance of this game is not lost on him, with fourth-placed Sevilla hoping to halt, or at least delay, Atleti’s title charge.
Koke, 29, said: "Everyone knows that leagues are won in this part of the season. We can’t think about if we’re favourites or not.
"People will maybe say that because of the points situation. But Barca and Madrid are two of the best sides in the world and they’ll fight until the end for it like we will."
Barcelona vs Valladolid (Monday, 8pm)
Barca are on the prowl and have Atletico Madrid in their sights.
After a 2-1 defeat at Cadiz in December, Ronald Koeman’s men have embarked on an 18-game unbeaten run in LaLiga, collecting 15 wins in the process.
Lionel Messi is leading the way in 2021, with 16 goals and seven assists in LaLiga — more goal involvements than any other player in the top five European leagues.
Valladolid have become draw specialists in recent weeks having picked up six in their last 11 games. More worrying is the fact they have only won once in that period.
Real Sociedad vs Athletic Bilbao (Wednesday, 8pm)
Scoring the first goal could be of some significance in this game.
Real Sociedad have conceded the first goal in five home games this season — and have failed to win all five.
Bilbao have not won any of the last eight away games where the opposition have struck first.
Sociedad have the edge in recent head-to-head battles. They have won five of the last six games, including 1-0 away in December thanks to Portu’s early strike.