Following the March international break, LALIGA EA SPORTS returns this weekend with several big games. That includes Atlético de Madrid vs FC Barcelona, a massive match in the title race as the Catalans aim to maintain or grow their four-point advantage over Real Madrid.
The very first game of the matchday takes place in the capital too, as Rayo Vallecano host Elche CF on Friday night. Both clubs currently sit just above the relegation zone, so this is an important game as well as being an interesting matchup between two of the most tactically interesting teams in the competition.
There are four games on Saturday, starting with Real Sociedad vs Levante UD. The visitors remain in the relegation zone, but are currently on a four-match unbeaten run inspired by March Player of the Month Carlos Espí. They’ll aim to pick up more points in the Basque Country.
Second-placed Real Madrid are in action at 16:15 CEST on Saturday, when they pay a visit to RCD Mallorca. Álvaro Arbeloa’s side will be extra motivated, knowing that they could cut the gap to FC Barcelona to one point ahead of the Catalans’ tough game at Atlético de Madrid.
Real Betis and RCD Espanyol take each other on next, with Los Verdiblancos hoping to hold on to fifth place now that it looks likely that LALIGA EA SPORTS could have five Champions League qualification berths for next season.
Then, at 21:00 CEST, all eyes will be on the Riyadh Air Metropolitano for Atlético de Madrid vs FC Barcelona. These teams have already met three times this season, with Barça winning the previous league meeting 3-1 but with Atleti knocking out Los Azulgranas over two legs in the Copa del Rey semi-finals. They’ll also meet in the upcoming Champions League quarter-finals, so this is a duel between two teams who already know each other well, and who’ll become even more familiar over the next few weeks.
The first of Sunday’s games is also in Spain’s capital, with Getafe CF playing at home against Athletic Club. These clubs are currently level on 38 points in eighth and ninth position, so this is an important six-pointer in the European qualification race.
Valencia CF and RC Celta are two other clubs both hoping to make it into European competition next season, and they face off next at Mestalla. With Valencia CF having won three of their past four in LALIGA EA SPORTS, the home fans will head to the stadium with confidence.
Next up is Real Oviedo vs Sevilla FC, which will be the debut in charge of the Andalusian side for Luis García Plaza. The experienced coach was hired by struggling Sevilla FC during the March international break, and will hope for an immediate upturn in results.
CA Osasuna make the short trip to take on northern neighbours Deportivo Alavés in the Sunday night game. It was 3-0 to CA Osasuna when these sides met earlier in the campaign, which was Los Rojillos’ biggest win of the season so far, so they’ll be looking for a similar performance this time around.
The final game of Matchday 30 comes on Monday night, when Girona FC host Villarreal CF. El Submarino Amarillo thrashed the Catalan side 5-0 earlier this term, and Marcelino will hope for a similarly impressive performance as they aim to strengthen their grip on third position.
