La Liga Predictions For Matchday 25

Espanyol were beaten 2-1 by struggling Real Valladolid in their last match as a two-game winning run was brought to an end. While victory in that game would not have eliminated their relegation worries, it would have eased them slightly. However, defeat has seen them dragged back into trouble. 

A win for the pair is vital, but Real's inconsistency of late and Espanyol's fairly decent form on the road this season means we are leaning towards a draw in this one. 

The home side currently sit in sixth in the league with 37 points, with this currently enough for them to take the Europa Conference League qualifying spot. Two wins in their last two matches has helped the side edge further up the table, but they have seen the Champions League spots remain out of their reach for now. 

Visitors Real Betis arrive sitting four points and one place above their hosts in the table. A four-game unbeaten run has helped them to take the Europa League spot, and they will be looking up at Real Sociedad in fourth, with the final Champions League spot just three points above them. 

A win in this one for Villarreal would see them edge closer to the Europa League spot, while victory for Betis could see them draw level on points and perhaps even leapfrog Real Sociedad. This match will likely be one of the tightest matches of the week. 

Athletic Club currently sit in ninth in the table with 33 points from their 24 matches. Nine wins have come alongside six draws and nine defeats, with the side currently eight clear of the relegation zone. Clearly, their focus will now be on building on their points tally as they look to chase down the European places, with Villarreal in sixth just four points above them. 

Barcelona bounced back at the first time of asking last week as they beat Valencia 1-0 in a tight match. This followed a stunning 1-0 loss to Almeria the week before, with this only Barca's second defeat in the league all season. With 62 points from 24 matches, Barca sit nine clear of Real Madrid in second, and they will target their mid-table opponents as the type of side they should easily beat.