Alaves vs. Espanyol (Saturday, 1.00pm)
© Imago
Two teams in the relegation mix in La Liga will lock horns on Saturday afternoon, with Alaves welcoming Espanyol.
Alaves have 22 points to show from their 24 La Liga matches this season, which has left them in 19th spot in the La Liga table, while Espanyol are 15th, boasting 24 points from their opening 24 games of the campaign.
We say: Alaves 1-1 Espanyol
This is a tough match to call, as Espanyol have struggled badly on their travels this season, but there is no question that the Catalan side are an improving outfit, and we are expecting Gonzalez's side to be good enough for a point on Saturday afternoon.
> La Liga preview: Alaves vs Espanyol
Rayo Vallecano vs. Villarreal (Saturday, 3.15pm)
![Villarreal manager Marcelino Garcia Toral during the pre-season friendly match at the City Ground, Nottingham on August 2, 2024 [on August 5, 2024]](https://sm.imgix.net/24/32/marcelino-garcia-toral.jpg?w=640&h=480&auto=compress,format&fit=clip "Villarreal manager Marcelino Garcia Toral during the pre-season friendly match at the City Ground, Nottingham on August 2, 2024 [on August 5, 2024]")
© Imago
Sixth will welcome fifth in Spain's top flight on Saturday afternoon, as Rayo Vallecano host Villarreal for what is shaping up to be a fascinating battle at Campo de Futbol de Vallecas.
Rayo have been the surprise package in the division this term, picking up 35 points to sit sixth in the La Liga table, while Villarreal are fifth, six points ahead of their opponents in the Spanish capital.
We say: Rayo Vallecano 1-1 Villarreal
Both teams are in need of the points due to their European ambitions, but we are finding it difficult to separate them here; Villarreal will fancy their chances of picking up a positive result, but Rayo have been excellent this season, and we are expecting the hosts to be good enough to secure at least a point on Saturday afternoon.
> La Liga preview: Rayo Vallecano vs Villarreal
Valencia vs. Atletico (Saturday, 5.30pm)
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Two teams at opposite ends of the La Liga table will lock horns for a huge match on Saturday evening, with relegation-threatened Valencia welcoming title-challenging Atletico Madrid to Mestalla.
Valencia are 18th in Spain's top flight, level on points with 17th-placed Las Palmas, while Atletico are third, one point behind both second-placed Real Madrid and division leaders Barcelona.
We say: Valencia 1-2 Atletico Madrid
This is a really interesting match, and Valencia will be confident of picking up a positive result considering their recent form at home. Atletico will be desperate to avoid a third straight match without a victory in the league, though, and we are backing Simeone's side to navigate their way to a hugely important three points.
> La Liga preview: Valencia vs Atletico
Las Palmas vs. Barcelona (Saturday, 8.00pm)
© Imago
La Liga leaders Barcelona will be aiming to post a fifth straight victory in Spain's top flight when they continue their campaign with a contest against a struggling Las Palmas outfit on Saturday evening.
Barcelona currently top the La Liga table, ahead of second-placed Real Madrid due to their superior head-to-head record, while Las Palmas are down in 17th, level on points with 18th-placed Valencia.
We say: Las Palmas 0-2 Barcelona
Las Palmas are seeking their first home league success over Barcelona since 1986, but we are finding it very difficult to back the hosts to pick up a positive result here, with Barcelona's additional quality likely to lead to them securing a routine three points on Saturday evening.
> La Liga preview: Las Palmas vs Barcelona
> Will Ramirez face his former club? How Las Palmas could line up against Barcelona
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> Christensen, Ter Stegen updates: Barcelona injury, suspension news vs. Las Palmas
