Atletico Madrid will look to put the disappointment of their Champions League exit behind them on Sunday when they entertain Alaves in La Liga.
Los Colchoneros can now focus their efforts solely on attempting to claim the Spanish title and they hold a four-point lead at the top of the table despite a recent dip in form.
Real Madrid can cut that lead to three points for 24 hours or so at least, as they head to Celta Vigo in one of four games on Saturday, while second-placed Barcelona face a tough trip to Real Sociedad in the late game on Sunday – in what looks to be the standout clash in this latest round of La Liga fixtures.
Surging Sevilla to Strengthen Champions League Bid
Sevilla sit fourth in La Liga with a nine-point lead over their nearest rivals for a place in next season’s Champions League, ahead of their trip to struggling Valladolid in late kick-off on Saturday.
Los Nervionenses appear to have emerged from a rough patch and they are seeking a third straight win after a derby success over Real Betis and a 2-0 win over Elche.
Both of those successes came on home soil and Sevilla have failed to win in their last three away games in all competitions, but they do have a strong record on the road overall this season, with 23 points from 13 games so far.
Valladolid ended their own eight-game losing run by beating Getafe 2-1 in their last outing at their Estadio Jose Zorrilla and picked up a useful point at Osasuna last time out.
However, Sevilla should have too much quality and an away win at 4/5 looks the best option in this match-up.
Clean Sheet and Three Points for Atleti
Atletico Madrid’s lead at the top of the standings has been cut after a run of just two wins in their last six La Liga games, but the visit of relegation candidates Alaves looks like a great opportunity to put another three points on the board.
Diego Simeone’s men will be eager to respond after their midweek European exit at the hands of Chelsea and they should have too much for their opponents on Sunday.
Atleti have failed to keep a clean sheet in each of their last five home games, but they can beat Alaves to nil on Sunday.
The visitors have failed to score in three of their last five away games, with four defeats and a draw during that run, and they will struggle to create chances against La Liga’s best defence.
Atletico are 4/11 to win and 5/8 to win to zero.
Barca Can Keep Pace in Title Race
Barcelona looked dead and buried in the title fight not too long ago, but four straight wins has seen them surge to within three points of Atletico.
That gap could be six points by the time they head to Real Sociedad on Sunday, but the Catalan giants look good value for all three points at 1/1.
The Anoeta was a tough hunting ground for Barca for a number of years, as they failed to register a win in eight games at Sociedad, but they have had the better of recent fixtures.
In their last four trips to the Basque outfit, Barca have three wins and a draw, and they also beat La Real on penalties in the Spanish Super Cup at a neutral venue earlier this year.
*All odds correct at time of writing
