Thursday 23 / January / 2025
MADRID: Real Madrid's visit to Betis and a Catalan Derby between Barcelona and Girona are the highlights of a weekend in La Liga, where notable data involving the bottom four clubs also deserves attention. Here are four things to look out for this weekend in Spain.
1. Betis: A big test for Real Madrid
Real Madrid heads to Seville to face an in-form rival in Betis, who are unbeaten in their last 10 league games and aiming to qualify for Europe again this season.
Kepa is expected to return in goal for Real Madrid, while Nacho Fernandez is likely to start at right back in place of Dani Carvajal, another addition to Madrid's injury list. Rodrygo and Brahim Diaz are set to get another chance to impress in attack.
Betis played a Copa del Rey tie on Wednesday night, working hard away against fourth-tier Villanovense on a heavy pitch. Although coach Manuel Pellegrini rested several key players, that effort could impact their performance against a rival who has had the entire week to prepare for the game.
2. Catalan Derby with a difference
The main Catalan derby has always been FC Barcelona against Espanyol, but Girona's incredible season means that Sunday's game between Barca and Girona in Montjuic will be something special.
Girona heads to the former Olympic Stadium level on points with Real Madrid at the top of the table, showcasing fantastic attacking football. Their fighting spirit has enabled them to come from behind to win in three of their last four games.
The return of Frenkie de Jong and Pedri appears to have helped Barca recover from the dip in form they suffered in November, but they will again be without Marc Andre Ter Stegen and Inigo Martinez.
Another factor to consider: last weekend, only 34,000 fans attended Barca's crucial match at home to Atletico Madrid. It's clear the fans are not fond of Montjuic, so maybe the Girona fans will create more atmosphere on Sunday night.
3. An expected rebound For Atletico Madrid
Atletico Madrid was disappointing last weekend against Barcelona, and the manner of their defeat evidently stung. Therefore, anticipate a strong reaction when they face Almeria this weekend.
Almeria sits at the bottom of the table without a win all season and was eliminated from the Copa del Rey by fourth-tier Barbastro on Wednesday.
With just one point from six league games, that cup defeat has intensified the pressure on Almeria coach, Gaizka Garitano. Although his side appears ill-prepared for the elite, a heavy defeat could spell the end of his tenure.
4. Scary numbers for bottom four
Almeria, Granada, Celta, and Mallorca make up the bottom four teams in La Liga, each playing 15 matches. Almeria has not secured a victory this season, while Granada, Celta, and Mallorca have only one win each.
That translates to a total of 60 matches for the four teams yielding just three wins. Surprisingly, Granada's win came against Mallorca, Mallorca's win was over Celta, and Celta's sole triumph was against Almeria.
That implies the bottom four teams have not won once against a team outside the bottom four. With Mallorca facing a crucial game at home to Sevilla, Granada hosting an in-form Athletic Club, and Celta traveling to Rayo Vallecano this weekend, that is a concerning statistic for their fans. ■
