Analysis: Four things to look out for in Spain's Matchday 23

Source: Xinhua| 2019-02-08 19:42:12|Editor: Lu Hui
Video PlayerClose

MADRID, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- Matchday 23 of La Liga promises to have a huge say in the eventual destination of this season's title, as Atletico Madrid host neighbors Real Madrid, while Barcelona face a difficult trip to Athletic Bilbao's San Mames stadium. However, there are also vital games in the battle against relegation. Here are some things to keep an eye out for this weekend in Spain.

1. Decisive Madrid derby

Atletico Madrid's defeat to Real Betis last weekend allowed Barcelona to extend their lead at the top of the table to six points, while Real Madrid's win at home to Alaves took them to within eight points of Barca and two of their neighbors.

Real cross town on Saturday to play Atletico just three days after an entertaining 1-1 draw away to Barcelona in the first leg of their Copa del Rey semifinal, while Atletico have had all week to prepare the game.

Atletico should be a lot fresher and have former Real striker Alvaro Morata looking to mark his home debut with a goal, but Real's morale will be sky high after a positive run of results.

If either (or both) of these sides fail to win, it could mean the end of their title hopes, so who will come out on top?

2. Will Barca win in Bilbao?

Of course, if Barcelona fail to win away to Athletic Bilbao in what promises to be a packed San Mames stadium, a draw would be a decent result in the Madrid derby.

Barca travel northwest after having been held by both Valencia and Real Madrid in their Camp Nou stadium, and with some questions over the fluidity of their football.

The good news for Barca is that Lionel Messi and Ousmane Dembele will be able to start after sitting out in midweek, and their sharpness could be vital.

Meanwhile, Bilbao need to bounce back after their seven-game unbeaten run under Gaizka Garitano ended rather tamely away to Real Sociedad last weekend. Garitano will have his players fired up for this game, and Bilbao will look to press high up the field and force their opponents into errors that Inaki Williams will hope to capitalize on. That approach worked against Sevilla and Betis, but Barcelona are a different kettle of fish.

3. Massive weekend in relegation battle

Just four points separate Levante in 11th place from Rayo Vallecano in 18th, in what is one of the closest relegation battles in recent seasons.

The weekend sees some vital head-to-head clashes between sides in the battle to avoid the drop to the second division.

Rayo travel to Espanyol, who have just one win from their last 11 games, while Girona are at home to bottom side Huesca, who beat Real Valladolid 4-0 last weekend to keep their slim survival hopes alive.

Meanwhile, Valladolid have to recover from their defeat in Huesca against second-from-bottom Villarreal, who are five points behind Rayo and can't afford to risk being cut even further adrift.

4. European places also up for grabs

This season's league is so close that two wins can take a team from being a relegation candidate to battling for a place in Europe next season.

Getafe are currently in fifth place and have a great chance of three points at home to Celta Vigo, while both Valencia and Real Sociedad, who meet at the Mestalla, are also close to the top six. Alaves, who currently sit seventh, will feel they can halt their recent slide at home to Levante, who have just one win in their last nine games.

TOP STORIES
EDITOR’S CHOICE
MOST VIEWED
EXPLORE XINHUANET
010020070750000000000000011102351378071721