Rayo Vallecano vs. Alaves (Saturday, 1.00pm)
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Rayo Vallecano have the opportunity to climb into the top four in La Liga this weekend, when they face 17th-placed Alaves at the Campo de Futbol de Vallecas.
Saturday's hosts are perhaps one of the surprise packages in Spain this season, as they currently sit in sixth spot having earned promotion from the second tier last year.
We say: Rayo Vallecano 2-0 Alaves
Rayo Vallecano are strong favourites to take three points from this clash, given their excellent home form this season including their strong defensive record on their own patch, which is why they are likely to keep a clean sheet.
The home side bounced back from league defeat in the Copa Del Rey but they now need to record three more points on the table as teams below them are not far behind pushing them out of the European places.
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Real Sociedad vs. Villarreal (Saturday, 3.15pm)
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Fifth-placed Real Sociedad host Villarreal in La Liga at the Reale Seguros Stadium on Saturday, when the home side will be aiming to break into the top four.
Villarreal are currently on a three-game winning run in all competitions, and they need to translate that form into the league if they want to climb the table and challenge for a European spot.
We say: Real Sociedad 1-1 Villarreal
Both Villarreal's and Real Sociedad's form in La Liga has been inconsistent in recent games, suggesting that Saturday's match-up is going to be a close encounter.
The visitors may not have won any away games in the league so far this season, but they have drawn more than half of their games on the road, and that is why the chance of a point a piece this weekend is likely.
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Barcelona vs. Elche (Saturday, 5.30pm)
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Barcelona will be looking to return to winning ways in La Liga when they welcome lowly Elche to Camp Nou on Saturday night.
Xavi's side are currently eighth in Spain's top flight, having picked up just 24 points from their opening 16 games of the season, while Elche sit 16th with only 15 points to show from their first 17 matches.
We say: Barcelona 1-0 Elche
It is difficult to back Barcelona with any real confidence at the moment, particularly considering their injury problems, and Elche are capable of making this a tricky encounter. We are actually expecting this to be another tight match at Camp Nou but are tipping Xavi's side to navigate their way to all three points.
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> How Barcelona could line up against Elche
> Barcelona injury, suspension list vs. Elche
Sevilla vs. Atletico (Saturday, 8.00pm)
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Atletico Madrid will be looking to bounce back from successive defeats in La Liga when they continue their title defence against Sevilla at Estadio Ramon on Saturday night.
Diego Simeone's side, who sit fourth in the table, have lost their last two in the league against Mallorca and Real Madrid, while second-placed Sevilla have been victorious in their last two against Villarreal and Athletic Bilbao.
We say: Sevilla 1-1 Atletico Madrid
This match has a draw written all over it; Atletico will be desperate to avoid a third straight league defeat, and Simeone should have his side fired up for the contest. Sevilla have been so impressive for much of the season, though, and we cannot back Loptegui's side to lose in front of their own supporters.
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Barney Corkhill
