Osasuna vs. Girona (Sunday, 1.00pm)
© Imago
Two teams that could yet be pulled into a relegation scrap in La Liga will lock horns at El Sadar on Sunday afternoon, with Osasuna welcoming Girona.
Osasuna are currently 13th in the La Liga table, seven points above 18th-placed Leganes, while 15th-placed Girona are just six points outside of the relegation zone heading towards the final straight.
We say: Osasuna 1-0 Girona
Both of these teams are in disappointing form, and a defeat for either would be damaging at this stage of the season; it would not be a surprise to see the points shared, but we believe that Osasuna will be able to navigate their way to all three points due to their impressive home record.
> La Liga preview: Osasuna vs Girona
Alaves vs. Real Madrid (Sunday, 3.15pm)
© Imago
Aiming to bounce back from two damaging defeats, Real Madrid will continue their La Liga campaign with a clash against relegation-threatened Alaves at Mendizorrotza Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Real Madrid cannot afford any further slip-ups in Spain's top flight, as they are second in the La Liga table, four points behind the leaders Barcelona, while Alaves occupy 17th spot, just two points above the relegation zone.
We say: Alaves 1-2 Real Madrid
Only a win will do for Real Madrid, but Ancelotti is set to make sweeping changes, which will give Alaves hope of a famous result - it would not be a shock to see the points shared, but we believe that the visitors will be able to navigate their way to all three points.
> La Liga preview: Alaves vs Real Madrid
> Will Ancelotti ring the changes? How Real Madrid could line up against Alaves
> Valverde, Alaba, Ceballos, Mendy latest: Real Madrid injury, suspension news vs. Alaves
Betis vs. Villarreal (Sunday, 5.30pm)
![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
Estadio Benito Villamarin will play host to an intriguing La Liga fixture on Sunday evening, with Real Betis welcoming Villarreal, and both sides are chasing down fourth-placed Athletic Bilbao in Spain's top flight.
Real Betis have been in glorious form of late, rising into sixth spot in the La Liga table, level on points with fifth-placed Villarreal, with both sides currently sitting six points off the Champions League spots.
We say: Real Betis 1-1 Villarreal
Only one of the last eight La Liga matches between these two sides has finished level, and there were eight goals in their two meetings last season - we are expecting a tight game on Sunday, though, and have ultimately had to settle on a low-scoring draw.
> La Liga preview: Betis vs Villarreal
Athletic Bilbao vs. Rayo Vallecano (Sunday, 8.00pm)
© Imago
After three straight goalless draws in all competitions, Athletic Bilbao will be bidding to return to winning ways when they continue their La Liga campaign with a home fixture against Rayo Vallecano on Sunday night.
Ernesto Valverde's side are currently fourth in the La Liga table, six points ahead of fifth-placed Villarreal, while Rayo occupy ninth, and the capital side will enter this match off the back of a heavy home defeat to Espanyol.
We say: Athletic Bilbao 2-1 Rayo Vallecano
Athletic have found it difficult to win matches of late, and the same can also be said for Rayo, so we are expecting a tight match in terms of the scoreline; Athletic can call upon the greater quality, though, and with home advantage, we are backing Valverde's side to put an important three points on the board.
> La Liga preview: Athletic Bilbao vs Rayo Vallecano
Ben Knapton
