KAMPALA: Robert Lewandowski is to miss the final match of his three-game suspension when Barcelona travel to Catalan neighbours Girona on Saturday afternoon. Xavi Hernandez’s reshaped Blaugrana have struggled for goals in the Polish international’s absence, subduing Atletico Madrid and Getafe by identical 1-0 scorelines to maintain a three point cushion ahead of eternal rivals Real Madrid. Lewandowski, who leads the chase for the Pichichi with 13 goals in 15 Liga Santander outings, only returns to league duty for Wednesday’s visit to Real Betis.
Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema has taken full advantage of Lewandowski’s absence to move closer in the race for the Pichichi, with his 9 Liga Santander goals third behind Espanyol’s Joselu Mato (10). Enamored by his goal in Real Madrid’s 3-1 Copa del Rey victory over crosstown rivals Atletico Madrid, Benzema will once again lead the line when Los Blancos host Real Sociedad on Sunday before battling Valencia on Thursday.
Third placed Real Sociedad will push Madrid to the limit as, on current form, they are the best of the rest. Imanol Alguacil’s side had won nine consecutive games in all competitions before Wednesday night’s 0-1 Copa del Rey loss to Barcelona. Carlo Ancelotti’s Los Blancos will in particular have to watch out for strikers Alexander Sorloth and Brais Mendez, who between them have been involved in a combined 19 La Liga goals.
There is mounting speculation over Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone’s future ahead of his team’s trip to Osasuna on Sunday. Given that Atleti are already 13 points off title pace having played a game more, Thursday’s Spanish Cup loss to Real meant this is the earliest the Wanda Metropolitano side has been knocked out of all competitions.
Basement club Elche, who are still chasing their first victory this season travel to Sevilla’s Ramon Picquan Stadium tomorrow.
FRIDAY
Almeria v Espanyol
SATURDAY
Cadiz v Mallorca,
Girona v Barcelona,
Sevilla v Elche,
Getafe v Real Betis
SUNDAY
Real Valladolid v Valencia,
Osasuna v Atletico Madrid,
Celta Vigo v Athletic Bilbao,
Real Madrid v Real Sociedad
MONDAY
Villarreal v Rayo Vallecano
WEDNESDAY
Real Betis v Barcelona
THURSDAY
Real Madrid v Valencia,
Athletic Bilbao v Cadiz
