La Liga returns with big game in Bernabeu
La Liga returns to action in Spain following the international break with a round of games that comes a week before another break for the final of the Copa del Rey.
La Liga leaders Real Madrid face cup finalists Athletic Bilbao in the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday night, with Vinicius Jr out through suspension and Eduardo Camavinga likely to miss out after suffering an ankle injury while playing for France.
Fermin Lopez (R) of Barcelona vies with Samu Costa of Mallorca during the Spanish La Liga football match between FC Barcelona and RCD Mallorca in Barcelona on March 8, 2024. (Photo by Joan Gosa/Xinhua)
Eder Militao could return after tearing his cruciate knee ligament in Bilbao during the first match of the season, but Thibaut Courtois won't return after needing another operation after damaging his meniscus ligament.
Bilbao coach Ernesto Valverde has a balancing act, with his side currently fourth in the table and looking to qualify for next season's Champions League. Valverde has to decide whether to risk key players such as Nico and Inaki Williams six days from the Cup final or give some game time to reserve keeper Julen Agirrezabala, who will play in the final.
The weekend kicks off with a vital match in the battle to avoid relegation, with third from bottom Cadiz at home to second bottom Granada. Cadiz are five points from safety and have to win against a rival that appointed Jose Ramon Sandoval as their third boss of the campaign during the break.
Sevilla coach Quique Sanchez Flores takes his side to play Getafe, where he had three spells in the dugout.
Sevilla are only six points ahead of Cadiz and despite improving since Quique's arrival, they still have plenty of work to do to assure their survival and the pressure will increase if Cadiz win on Friday night.
Pepe Mel led Almeria to their first win of the season in the last game before the international break, and his bottom of the table outfit might think they have a chance to make it two wins in two games when they entertain Osasuna.
Osasuna were rocked on Tuesday when Jagoba Arrasate announced he would step down as coach at the end of the season after six years in charge, and Almeria will look to take advantage of any uncertainty among the visitors.
Mallorca prepares for their cup final against Athletic Bilbao with a visit to a slightly irregular Valencia, with the visitors also likely to rest some key players.
Barcelona need to keep the pressure on Real Madrid when they entertain a Las Palmas side that looked to have run out of steam before the break, with five games without a win.
Barca are still without Frenkie de Jong and Pedri, while Andreas Christensen's Achilles tendon will keep him out, and Robert Lewandowski and Ronald Araujo both have muscle problems that could see them rested.
Three defeats in five games have ended Girona's title chances and their top-four finish now seems less secure than a month ago. Michel Gonzalez's side entertain Betis, who had slipped into crisis before the break with three consecutive defeats.
Winger Savio is suspended for Girona, while midfielder Yangel Herrera and defender David Lopez are injured.
Alaves and Real Sociedad play a Basque derby where the visitors will welcome back winger Ander Barrenetxea after injury.
Celta Vigo and Rayo Vallecano both look for points to climb away from the bottom three, while Atletico Madrid end the round of games on Monday, with a difficult visit to in-form Villarreal.
Related articles
- A four-bedroom house which sits under a bridge has hit the market for just under half a million poun2024-04-30
J.K. Dobbins signs with Chargers, continuing the trend of former Ravens heading to LA
COSTA MESA, Calif. (AP) — Running back J.K. Dobbins signed a one-year contract with the Chargers on2024-04-30Horoscope today: Daily guide to what the stars have in store for YOU
Jupiter and Uranus are moving towards one another in earthy Taurus; and tomorrow, the Sun takes resi2024-04-30Man granted parole for his role in the 2001 stabbing deaths of 2 Dartmouth College professors
CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — A man who has served more than half of his life in prison for his role in the 22024-04-30Egyptian, Chinese students mark UN Chinese Language Day in Cairo
Egyptian students taste Chinese tea during a ceremony to celebrate Chinese Language Day in Cairo, Eg2024-04-30The number of Americans applying for jobless benefits holds steady as labor market remains strong
The number of Americans filing for jobless benefits didn’t change last week as the labor market cont2024-04-30
atest comment