Barcelona’s stunning loss to Malaga at Camp Nou has put a cloud over La Liga. What seemed destined to be a thrilling finish to the season is now potentially headed for purgatory. The gap between Real Madrid and Barcelona has widened to four points but there are still 14 league games left on the schedule, so nothing is final yet – especially with the league’s top contenders also competing in the Champions League.
Focusing on the Spanish Primera, here are the most important games to keep an eye on this weekend.
Granada vs. Barcelona – Saturday, 10:00 AM ET
La Liga Odds: Barcelona -837, Granada +1790, Draw +711
The Spanish giants bounced back with a 2-1 win over Manchester City in the Champions League but this week’s trip will provide a glimpse in to the team’s psyche and resilience as they look to avoid falling any further in the table. There is little doubt that Barcelona should emerge from this game with the maximum three points but more than that, it will be interesting to see how lopsided this victory will be.
Luis Suarez tallied twice for Barca versus City and it’s clear that at their best, the trio of Lionel Messi, Neymar and Suarez is nearly impossible to slow down. Although bettors likely feel nauseous about laying a huge number with Barcelona given last week’s La Liga disaster, look for Barcelona to come out firing on all cylinders in this game to make a statement with a dominant performance. Pick: Barcelona
Sevilla vs. Atletico Madrid – Sunday, 1:00 PM ET
La Liga Odds: Atletico Madrid +140, Sevilla +201, Draw +212
Atletico Madrid left little to doubt with a 3-0 win over Almeria this past weekend as both Mario Mandzukic and Diego Simeone found the back of the net once again. Things will get a lot more challenging this week as they now have to travel to face a Sevilla team that is 9-3-0 at home on the season.
While Atletico is seven points back of Real Madrid for the top spot in the La Liga table, they aren’t out of the race just yet – especially since Real Madrid and Barcelona still have one more meeting. The challenge this week is that Sevilla still has plenty to play for as they’re looking to close the gap on a Champions League spot. They are currently five points back of Valencia for that all-important fourth position.
Atletico has struggled on the road at times this season, winning just six of 11 road games (compared to 11 wins in 13 home contests). Their offense really tapers off as they’ve tallied 34 goals in those home game but have only mustered 16 goals while away. They will be in tough to hand Sevilla a loss at home, so look for this game to go down to the wire with the home side holding on for a point. Pick: Draw
Real Madrid vs. Villareal – Saturday, 3:00 PM ET
La Liga Odds: Real Madrid -585, Villareal +1284, Draw +598
Cristiano Ronaldo has found his form again and there is no doubt he is playing with something to prove as he looks to stand alone atop the soccer world by leading Real Madrid to both a La Liga and a Champions League title. The incredibly high standards set for the Ballon d’Or winner meant that a string of three league games without a goal was considered a substantial “goal drought” but he found the back of the net again in last week’s win along with another star that has naturally been somewhat overshadowed during his time there in Karim Benzema.
Real Madrid is now in the driver seat in Spain and they can potentially extend their lead atop the table against a Villareal side that has been very average on the road this season. Despite sitting sixth in the table, they have just four wins in 12 away games, averaging just 1.3 goals per contest. Even a draw is too much to ask of them in this spot. Pick: Real Madrid
