Reigning champions Madrid are on 7th position in the table and eight points behind current leaders Barcelona. After five games into the season the points table has some unlikely figures at the top half of the table. On the back of a devastating performance in the Bernabeu trophy in midweek, Real Madrid would like to continue their form against Deportivo on Sunday. But the two key matches to watch-out this weekend would be Sevilla Vs Barcelona and Espanyol vs Atletico Madrid.

Sevilla Vs Barcelona

Barcelona have made an impressive start to the La Liga campaign as they look to turn around last year’s disappointment in style. The Catalans are yet to drop a point this season and have opened up an enormous gap between rivals Real Madrid. However, Barcelona will face their toughest league match this season when they travel to Sevilla, who are yet to lose a match. Sevilla lie 5th on the table equal on points with Malaga CF and Real Mallorca, having already knocked off Madrid with a 1-0 win, Sevilla will give a tough time for the Catalans.

Barcelona will have to face on the best counter attacking team in the league without their first choice Center backs Puyol and Pique, who will not be available for the game and coach Vilanova have to use midfielders Song and Mascherano as covering defenders for the night. 

Ivan Rakitic looks confident ahead of Barcelona clash

Speaking ahead of the game, Sevilla midfielder Ivan Rakitic is optimistic his side can end Barca’s 100% start, saying on SFC TV: “We can win this and any game.

“We’re playing the best team in the world but we’re not going to make it easy for them. We know we can win this game.”

Should Sevilla manage to hold Barca, Real Madrid will expect to take advantage when they host promoted Deportivo La Coruna on Sunday and their rivals Atletico Madrid , who are just two points adrift of Barcelona would aim to go to the of the table.

Espanyol vs Atletico Madrid

Watchout for Falcao

Not a match that the neutrals will look out for, but as far as the table looks, the match has more importance even though it is still a fresh season. Barcelona’s closest  challengers at the top of the table are Atletico Madrid. The Madrid side have been hugely impressive in the opening round of fixtures, thanks to the goal machine Radamel Falcao. The Colombian football striker leads the scoring charts with seven goals and talking to the press after Atletico’s win over Real Betis, Falcao said:

“I never said I wanted to be the league’s top scorer. I want to help the team, We just want to go game by game and not look too far ahead.”

Mean while Espanyol have just picked up one point in their five league games and lie on 19th place just above Osasuna. And if Espanyol lose to in-form Atletico Madrid on Sunday then it will be their worst ever start to the league season. So it is expected that Espanyol will give Atletico a run for their money as the two sides lock horns in a late kick off on Sunday.

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