- Real Madrid have won six straight home matches
- Barcelona are yet to keep an away clean sheet
- Athletic Bilbao have won three of their last four league matches

Barcelona are on track to head into the international break as LaLiga leaders despite last week's shock loss at Osasuna and the Catalan giants will attempt to return to winning ways at Alaves on Sunday.

The pick of Saturday's action comes from the capital as Real Madrid host in-form Villarreal.

We have previewed every fixture from the ninth round in Spain's top flight.

Leganes vs Valencia (Friday, 8pm)

Leganes are winless in six while Valencia have lost all four road matches, so this Friday night contest is unlikely to be a classic. The hosts' last two finished in a 1-1 draw and that looks a likely scenario again. 

Score prediction: Draw 1-1

Espanyol vs Mallorca (Saturday, 1pm)

Mallorca can extend their winning run to four with victory at struggling Espanyol. The hosts have scored in four of their last five but they haven't been creating many chances and could fail to register in defeat.

Score prediction: Mallorca to win 1-0

Getafe vs Osasuna (Saturday, 3.15pm)

Getafe got off the mark last week and remain unbeaten at home but they could find Osasuna a tough nut to crack. The visitors are riding high after their win over Barcelona and can claim a point.

Score prediction: Draw 1-1

Las Palmas vs Celta Vigo (Saturday, 5.30pm)

Las Palmas' long wait for a first win could come to an end when they host Celta Vigo. The hosts have looked solid in Gran Canaria, drawing with Sevilla, Real Madrid and Real Betis, while Celta have lost all three on the road.

Score prediction: Las Palmas to win 2-1

Valladolid vs Rayo Vallecano (Saturday, 5.30pm)

The draw looks a likely outcome in a clash between two LaLiga strugglers. Valladolid have drawn two of their last three at home while visitors Rayo Vallecano have played out three successive stalemates.

Score prediction: Draw 1-1

Real Madrid vs Villarreal (Saturday, 8pm)

Real Madrid stumbled at Lille in the Champions League in midweek but they've won six in a row at the Bernabeu and class should tell against Villarreal. However, the Yellow Submarine have scored in all eight games and can find the net again.

Score prediction: Real Madrid to win 3-1

Girona vs Athletic Bilbao (Sunday, 1pm)

Girona's 2023/24 title challenge is a distant memory – they're winless in four LaLiga outings and could struggle against Athletic Bilbao. The Basque boys have won three of their last four domestic matches.

Score prediction: Athletic Bilbao to win 2-1

Alaves vs Barcelona (Sunday, 3.15pm)

Barcelona responded to their Osasuna loss with a 5-0 Champions League victory over Young Boys. The Catalans had previously won seven straight LaLiga matches but they've not kept a clean sheet on the road.

Score prediction: Barcelona to win 3-1

Sevilla vs Real Betis (Sunday, 5.30pm)

The last four editions of El Gran Derbi have resulted in a draw and that outcome looks likely on Sunday. Sevilla have claimed narrow victories in their last two home games but city rivals Betis have lost just one of their last five LaLiga matches.

Score prediction: Draw 1-1

Real Sociedad vs Atletico Madrid (Sunday, 8pm)

Atleti suffered a 4-0 Champions League hammering at Benfica but they're unbeaten in LaLiga and can claim victory at Real Sociedad. La Real have lost three of their four league home matches and have to contend with a shorter European turnaround.

Score prediction: Atletico Madrid to win 2-1