The fourth episode of the season pits Barcelona against Real Madrid in a storied clash at Camp Nou. This universal duel offers another chance to see if Xavi Hernandez’s side can keep pace in the title race and whether Carlo Ancelotti’s squad can close the gap, or even seize control again as the campaign progresses.
Barcelona currently holds a nine-point cushion in the standings. The question looms: who will Barcelona face in this critical match? A win would push the gap to twelve, while a draw would preserve a comfortable margin. If Real Madrid repeats their recent league form with a victory at the Camp Nou, they would trim the deficit to six, keeping the title dream alive for a possible comeback.
Barcelona cemented its leadership with efficiency, led by the exceptional form of Marc-Andre Ter Stegen, who delivered a resilient defensive display and kept a clean sheet against Liverpool while earning a place in the quarterfinals. Real Madrid, by contrast, arrives at the classical with the memory of recent missteps in Europe and hopes to reclaim momentum in a high-stakes showdown.
As Xavi and his players prepared for the classic, Real Madrid arrived fresh from a continental match, preserving the possibility of fielding a familiar XI that shone against Jurgen Klopp’s team. The match carries extra weight as both sides look to set the tempo for the rest of the season.
Karim Benzema had to be substituted after feeling a pain in the shin during the only goal of the match, prompting concerns about his availability. Vinicius Junior remains a key attacking spark, ready to test Ancelotti’s plans, while Uruguay’s Ronald Araujo is set to return after serving a one-match ban and may alter the balance at the back. The attending medical staff will monitor Benzema closely as the teams prepare for a crucial encounter.
Having won the last two clásico meetings—the Super Cup final and the Copa del Rey semi-final first leg—Barcelona knows what is at stake. They aim to extend their lead and keep the pressure on their archrival, turning the screw as the season enters its decisive phase.
The Negreira affair altered the narrative around Barcelona, yet Xavi’s squad appears poised to stay the course. With Pedri González potentially fit again, the team looks to reaffirm its championship trajectory on the field and snatch momentum from Real Madrid.
Valladolid-Athletic, Friday at 21:00.
Athletic is struggling to end a winless streak, aiming to rediscover form away from home in a tough clash against Valladolid. The midfield disruption around Roque Mesa and Cameroon’s Martin Hongla has also weighed on their plans, but a positive result could shift the mood and the table heading into the weekend.
Almeria-Cádiz, Saturday 14:00
In an Andalusian duel, Almeria and Cádiz meet for a penultimate round of fixtures with a small gap between them. Almeria seeks a better result after a stretch without wins, while Cádiz aims to consolidate their position with a crucial performance at their rival’s ground. The hosts must cope with injuries to Javi Garcia and a suspension in the backline, while Cádiz faces similar selection challenges as they chase points on the road.
Rayo Vallecano-Girona, Saturday 16:15.
Rayo remains focused on survival while Girona makes a push for European contention. Andoni Iraola’s team has gathered only a fraction of possible points over recent games, and the absence of Mikel Sanchez due to injury tightens the schedule. A victory here would be a strong statement for both sides as the season reaches its most tense phase.
Espanyol-Celta de Vigo at 18:30 on Saturday.
coach Carlos Carvalhal has steadied Espanyol with two wins and two draws in the last four and a small but important margin to safety. The clash against Celta de Vigo promises goals, with Iago Aspas and Joselu Mato both in line to influence the score at either end.
Atlético de Madrid-Valencia, Saturday 21:00
Atlético Madrid is cresting a strong run of form, tightening their grip on third place and pressing hard on the leaders. At the Metropolitano they host Valencia, whose recent surge at Mestalla has changed the mood around Rubén Baraja’s squad. Valencia will be desperate for more points to ease mounting concerns, while Atlético looks to extend their positive run and maintain pressure on the top of the table.
Valencia fans crave another result to stabilize their campaign. Baraja, who has previously coached several notable teams, is guiding a squad that has shown resilience but needs consistency to climb higher. Real Sociedad, Real Betis, and Villarreal remain in the hunt for fourth place, all balancing European commitments this weekend in the Europa League, the Conference League, and domestic action to secure a Champions League slot.
Real Betis-Mallorca, Sunday 14:00
Manuel Pellegrini’s Betis face Mallorca in a clash that highlights stylistic contrasts. Mallorca will look to tighten their defensive lines and test Betis’s tempo, aiming to disrupt the Verdiblancos’s rhythm with a disciplined approach on the road.
Real Sociedad-Elche, Sunday 16:15.
Real Sociedad carries momentum but recently hit a rough patch with four winless games in La Liga. With a three-point gap over Betis and a seven-point advantage on Villarreal, the team will lean on the leadership of Mikel Merino to stay on course. The next result against Elche could be pivotal for the club’s pursuit of a high finish.
Osasuna-Villarreal at 4:15 PM on Sunday.
Villarreal has shown signs of life after a difficult spell, but Osasuna remains difficult to beat at home. The visitors have not tasted victory at Osasuna since January 14, a dry spell that adds pressure as European ambitions loom for both sides.
Getafe-Seville, Sunday 6:30 PM
Seville, led by Jorge Sampaoli, sits just a couple of points off Getafe as both teams chase improvements before the weekend. Getafe has won two of their last matches at home, while Sevilla endures a grueling schedule shaded by fatigue from a recent Europa League tie in Istanbul and injuries to key defenders, complicating their plans for the visit to the Coliseum Alfonso Perez.