While Barcelona currently sits pretty with a four-point cushion at the top of the table, this Saturday’s La Liga action is less about the “Big Two” and more about the teams fighting for European scrap or survival. Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid both have home fixtures they should win, but in a season defined by injury crises and shock upsets, nothing is guaranteed in the Spanish capital.
Here is your quick-fire preview of Saturday’s La Liga slate.
Girona vs. Athletic Bilbao (1:00 PM)
The early kickoff at Montilivi features two teams in desperate need of a momentum shift. Athletic Bilbao are currently stuck in a logjam for 10th place and haven’t won in their last three outings. Girona, meanwhile, have stabilized after a mid-season slump but still find themselves in the bottom half of the table (15th). Expect a cagey affair; the Basques have been solid defensively but struggle to finish their chances on the road.
• Prediction: Girona 1-1 Athletic Bilbao
Atletico Madrid vs. Getafe (3:15 PM)
Diego Simeone’s men are looking to bounce back from a shaky run that has seen them slip 13 points behind Barcelona. They face a Getafe side that is notoriously difficult to break down but has a horrific record at the Metropolitano. Julián Alvarez is the man in form for Atleti, and with Getafe averaging less than a goal per game, a single moment of magic from the Argentine might be enough.
• Prediction: Atletico Madrid 2-0 Getafe
Real Oviedo vs. Valencia (5:30 PM)
The Asturians are at the bottom of the table and look destined for the drop, sitting eight points adrift of safety. However, Real Oviedo showed plenty of heart in their draw with Espanyol last week. They host a Valencia side that has climbed to 12th under Carlos Corberán after winning three of their last four. Valencia are the favorites, but Oviedo’s “nothing to lose” attitude makes this a potential banana skin.
• Prediction: Real Oviedo 1-2 Valencia
Real Madrid vs. Elche (8:00 PM)
The Bernabéu expects a goal-fest, but Alvaro Arbeloa has a massive selection headache. Fresh off a grueling Champions League first leg against Manchester City, Real Madrid are dealing with a “hospital list” that includes Kylian Mbappé, Jude Bellingham, and Dani Ceballos. They face 17th-placed Elche, who are fighting for their lives. Even with a rotated squad and Arda Güler likely pulling the strings, Madrid should have far too much quality for the visitors.
• Prediction: Real Madrid 3-0 Elche
