Firstly the Fixtures :

Saturday :

Osasuna v Malaga

Valencia v Espanyol

Barcelona v Real Zaragoza

Real Madrid v Athletic Bilbao

 

Sunday

Deportivo v Levante

Celta de Vigo v Mallorca

Getafe v Valladolid

Real Sociedad v Rayo Vallecano

Granada v Atl Madrid

Sevilla v Real Betis

 

As we can see, the big matches are on Saturday. But Athletico’s will be the big game of Sunday.

 

Osasuna v Malaga

Malaga are currently in the 5th place and they travel to the rock bottom Osasuna. But they should not take this as 3 points guaranteed as Osasuna won the bottom of the table clash last week  against local rivals Espanyol. They will hope that game was a start for the revival and it will be a shame to see them get relegated.

Meanwhile Malaga have a Champions League game in the midweek and its high time they get back to winning ways in La Liga: their chances of doing so might revolve on how many of their first choice back four perform as they are back in action. They need to convert their take form from Champions League to the league if they need to clinch that 4th spot.

Prediction 1-1

 

Valencia v Espanyol

Osasuna’s neighbours Espanyol travel to Valencia and look so out of shape. Valencia’s season has been defined by their performances at home and away. They have won 6 games in all competitions at home but are in miserable form away.

The game should be won easily by Valencia as there is absolutely nothing which would support Espanyol grabbing a point from the game.

Prediction : 2-0 to Valencia.

 

Barcelona v Real Zaragoza

Now we come to the big teams.  

 If Barcelona win, it makes this the best start by a team in La Liga history. WOW. Another record at stake for the greatest generation produced by Catalunia? 

But it wont be a walk in the park for them as they have a few injury worries. Alexis Sanchez could be out for four weeks with a foot injury he sustained on international duty. Out of favor striker David Villa will replace him and he could slow the game down a bit. Song and Adriano are sidelined too with injuries while Busquets is suspended after accumulating five yellow cards. 

But they will be boosted with the return of captain Puyol after that ugly fall in October which dislocated his elbow.

Zaragoza, meanwhile, will be without defenders Cristian Sapunaru and Abraham through suspension.

Maurizio Lanzaro and Ivan Obradovic are still out injured, but midfielder Jose Mari could return from a knee problem.

Prediction : 2-0 to Barcelona

 

Real Madrid v Athletic Bilbao

Match of the weekend? Probably yes. Madrid are in good form in the league after a dismal start. They’ve won four in a row and will look to make it 5 out of 5 as Athletic aren’t the same team they were last season. Higuain is injured and Benzema could make a return to the side after he picked up a knock 2 weeks ago. Khedira will also hope to pass a late fitness test and make a return to the club.

But the big talking point will be about Cristiano Ronaldo. Real Madrid have been saved from a heavy blow as luckily their star striker has recovered well from the injury which he picked up during the game against Levante.

Athletic, who won just two of their opening nine games, visit the Bernabeu having improved their position with successive victories over Granada and Sevilla.Athletic will be without the midfield pair Ander Herrera and Oscar de Marcos, who are both suspended. Inigo Perez and Borja Ekiza and Fernando Amorebieta could miss out due to injury concerns.

Prediction : Real Madrid 3-1 Athletic Bilbao

 

Granada v Atletico Madrid

This is the match on Sunday. The team which is running high and in good form thanks to their in form hitman Falcao! 

The 26-year-old has been highly impressive this season and has 13 goals to his name in all competitions.

After two scoreless games, he would hope to add to his total against a Granada side just three points off the bottom of the table.Atletico got back to winning ways in the last round after their two-game blip, but if they’re serious about maintaining their title push, this is the sort of game they simply must win.

Granada is an attacking side with so much flair and attacking options. The did not score in only 2 games this season and those were against,yes, you guessed it, Barcelona and Real Madrid.

Prediction : This should be a cracker of a game and we can see goals galore. Granada 2-3 Athletico.