Carlo Ancelotti will move closer to winning by his second Liga Santander title in three years if Real Madrid tame tricky Athletic Bilbao in the marquee fixture of the weekend. The Italian manager has overcome the departure of long term top scorer Karim Benzema and a plethora of injuries to guide Los Blancos to an eight points cushion atop the standings with nine fixtures to go.
Two of Santiago Bernabeu’s mainstays, Thibaut Courtois and David Alaba, have been ruled out for the season but Los Blancos welcome back influential defender Eder Militao for Sunday’s duel with Athletic Club and Tuesday’s crunch Uefa Champions League quarterfinals against Manchester City.
Liga Santander’s record champions also welcome back top scorer Jude Bellingham following a two game suspension. The Englishman should take his place in central midfield along with Aurelien Tchouameni and Toni Kroos days after his last gasp goal earned the Three Lions a 2-2 draw with Belgium.
Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez is counting on the form of attacking triumvirate Robert Lewandowski, Lamine Yamal and Joao Felix to propel Blaugrana to three points in their home encounter with Las Palmas. The reigning champions have put together a ten match unbeaten sequence despite losing dependable midfielders Frenkie de Jong, Pedro Gonzalez ‘Pedri’and Pablo Martin Gavira ‘Gavi’to injury.
Girona’s title challenge has faded owing to an abysmal run of form that has witnessed the Catalan club win just four out of their last ten encounters. Boss Michel Sanchez will be hoping battering have been fully recharged during the international break for the visit of Manuel Pellegrini’s dangerous Real Betis.
Granada and Almeria are both in the last chance saloon as far as their Primera Liga status is concerned. Basement club Almeria are still twelve points from safety despite winning their first game of the season at Las Palmas on match day 29, their first encounter since the sacking of Gaizka Garitano.
New boss Pepe Mel is a well respected veteran firefighter who will be hoping to build on the bounce that came with his appointment as manager when they host unpredictable Osasuna at the Power Horse Stadium. Granada are in an equally precarious state and will join Almeria in Liga 2 unless they get maximum points at a Cadiz side still buzzing after a 2-0 victory over heavyweights Atletico Madrid.
FRIDAY
Cadiz v Granada
SATURDAY
Getafe v Sevilla,
Almeria v Osasuna,
Valencia v Mallorca,
Barcelona v Las Palmas
SUNDAY
Celta Vigo v Rayo Vallecano,
Girona v Real Betis,
Deportivo Alaves v Real Sociedad,
Real Madrid v Athletic Bilbao
MONDAY
Villarreal v Atletico Madrid
