Sunday's La Liga predictions including Valencia vs. Barcelona

Espanyol vs. Sevilla (Sunday, 1.00pm)

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Sevilla will be looking to make it three straight wins in all competitions when they head to RCDE Stadium on Sunday afternoon to take on Espanyol.

The visitors are currently second in the table, four points behind leaders Real Madrid on the same number of matches (24), while Espanyol occupy 13th spot, eight points clear of the relegation zone.

We say: Espanyol 1-2 Sevilla

Sevilla really need to win this match, as they are likely to be seven points off the summit by the time that it kicks off, and we are backing the visitors to claim all three points courtesy of a narrow success, with Martial potentially scoring in successive matches for his new club.

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Valencia vs. Barcelona (Sunday, 3.15pm)

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Barcelona will be bidding to return to winning ways on Sunday afternoon when they head to Mestalla to take on Valencia in Spain's top flight.

The Catalan giants are currently fourth in La Liga, four points behind third-placed Real Betis, while Valencia occupy 12th position, eight points off the top six heading into the next set of fixtures.

We say: Valencia 1-2 Barcelona

Barcelona have serious defensive problems heading into this match, but Valencia's recent form has been very disappointing, so it is very difficult to back the home side to triumph. Barcelona are actually unbeaten in their last eight away matches, and we are backing the visitors to secure all three points here.

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> How Barcelona could line up against Valencia

> Barcelona injury, suspension list vs. Valencia

Real Betis vs. Mallorca (Sunday, 5.30pm)

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Looking to make it four wins on the bounce in all competitions, Real Betis will return to La Liga action on Sunday when they welcome Mallorca to the Estadio Benito Villamarin.

Manuel Pellegrini's side will aim to strengthen their position in the top four of the Spanish top-flight table, while their visitors have climbed away from the relegation zone thanks to back-to-back victories.

We say: Real Betis 2-1 Mallorca

While Mallorca have certainly improved in recent weeks, we see Sunday as too tall of a task for them to come away with a result.

Pellegrini's men have been formidable throughout most of the campaign, and, with home advantage and in a three-game winning run, we expect them to get over the line again in their pursuit of a top-four finish.

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Athletic Bilbao vs. Real Sociedad (Sunday, 8.00pm)

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A key battle in the race for spots in the top six of the La Liga table will take place on Sunday, as Basque rivals Athletic Bilbao and Real Sociedad square off at San Mames.

The visitors currently sit sixth with a four-point lead over their hosts, who are just two places behind in a tight top half.

We say: Athletic Bilbao 1-1 Real Sociedad

With two rivals and two of the league's strongest defences squaring off in a crucial battle, we see this being a cagey affair and predict a low-scoring draw as the most likely outcome.

Both have the ability to neutralise one another's attacking threats with organised structures, and we cannot quite pick a winner for this edition of the Basque Derby as a result.

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