Wednesday’s meeting between Barcelona and Espanyol promises to be a fiery encounter with both teams fighting for their lives at either end of the La Liga table.
Barcelona can keep their slim title hopes alive with a win, but in doing so, they can end Espanyol’s stay in the top flight.
Quique Setien’s troops returned to winning ways against Villarreal on Sunday, with a 4-1 success giving them a huge confidence boost.
Barca are four points behind Real Madrid, and they need other teams to do them a favour if they are to keep their league crown.
At the other end of affairs, Espanyol are 11 points adrift after losing 1-0 to relegation rivals Leganes at the weekend, meaning anything but a victory will see their 27-year spell in the top flight end.
Espanyol may need a miracle to beat their city rivals and it promises to be an entertaining encounter, with over 3.5 goals priced at 6/5
.
Race for Europe Hots Up
Fifth-placed Villarreal travel to sixth-placed Getafe, with both teams starting to feel the pressure of late.
The Yellow Submarine couldn’t keep up with Barca, while Getafe have not won since June 29. With nerves aplenty, a draw looks likely and is priced at 41/20
.
Wednesday’s other meeting is a mid-table affair as Real Betis prepare to host Osasuna in a 19:30 kick-off.
Big chance for Sevilla
There are three fixtures to look forward to on Thursday, with a huge game to come from the San Mames.
While Bilbao were beaten 1-0 by Real Madrid on home soil on Sunday, their record at home is impressive. Gaizka Garitano’s troops have only lost four times at home, but Sevilla will make the trip north with a spring in their step.
Los Rojiblancos have not lost in their last 13 matches and will move level on points with third-placed Atletico Madrid with a win.
Sevilla are 6/4
to triumph on their travels, but they have not won in Bilbao in the league since 2009.
All eyes on the bottom four
While Espanyol could drop down into Segunda this weekend, Eibar still have their fate in their own hands ahead of their clash against Levante.
Despite back-to-back defeats, they are still six points above the bottom three, but they play fellow strugglers Leganes at home.
Eibar as big as 27/20
to secure three points and they will feel they need to win with Mallorca also playing on Thursday.
Los Bermellones need to start picking up points to give themselves a chance of retaining their top-flight status, and they are priced at evens to beat 12th-placed Levante.
*All odds correct at time of writing.