After Barca’s draw at Las Palmas, the Catalans are just five points ahead at the top now, but should an in-form Atletico Madrid take all three points from the Camp Nou, they’ll be just two points in it.
If Ernesto Valverde’s side are victorious, the gap rises to eight, but the way the two teams are playing, there’s no guarantee that will happen.
For Barcelona to do win, they’ll need to contain Messrs. Costa and Griezmann, and that’s no easy task, particularly in relation to the Frenchman, who has scored seven in his last two games.
The battle between these two sides is always an absorbing one, and Diego Simeone will feel he has the best chance of his tenure of finally leaving the Camp Nou with all three points – a feeling he is yet to experience as Atleti coach.
With an extra week to wait until the Champions League return against Chelsea, Valverde can afford to play all of his big guns, so it’ll be no surprise to see Messi, Suarez, Dembele and Coutinho all starting.
How the Uruguayan loves these games against his countryman Diego Godin, and neither will hold back here. A red card is almost assured because neither side will give an inch.
Too close to call.
Zidane to rotate again
He’s damned if he does and damned if he doesn’t, but Zinedine Zidane has to rotate again for the game against Getafe.
Coming just a few days before the trip to PSG, the Frenchman has little choice because he can’t afford any more injuries at what is a crucial point of the season.
Modric, Kroos and Casemiro will hope to be back against the Parisiens, but Marcos Llorente and Mateo Kovacic will continue to deputise.
Cristiano Ronaldo is available, but it’s likely that Zidane will hedge his bets and bench the Portuguese, only bringing him on if absolutely necessary.
The starting XI should actually be the same as that which lost at Espanyol, and if Getafe were to add their name to a growing list of teams who have conquered Los Blancos this season, the coach will have to take it on the chin.
Jose Bordalas’ side have lost just one in the last six in a run which has included games against Sevilla, Barcelona and Celta Vigo.
A compact but hard-working 4-4-2 gives the visitors enough in both attack and defence to cause their hosts more league problems, and keep an eye out for Angel Rodriguez up against Raphael Varane.
It could be the battle of the afternoon.
Valencia will be wary of Betis goal threat
Though they’ve already missed one chance to leapfrog Real Madrid into third, Valencia will be hopeful of keeping the pressure on with a win against Betis.
However, Marcelino will be wary of the goal threat the green-and-whites possess.
Four against Sociedad and Levante, and three against multiple opponents evidences the way in which Quique Setien likes his staff to play, although it must be said that sometimes they’re left open by playing in such a manner.
It’s the reason why they’ve shipped five against Barcelona, Real Madrid and Eibar.
If Geoffrey Kondogbia and Dani Parejo can boss the midfield up against Fabian Ruiz and Javi Garcia, Simone Zaza, Luciano Vietto and Rodrigo Moreno will get chances.
That’s because Marc Bartra is still finding his feet at the back for Betis, his partnership with Aissa Mandi still in its infancy.
A strong left side in Coquelin and Gaya, should ensure that if Betis want any goalscoring success, it will need to come down Valencia’s right side.
Bragging rights up for grabs in Basque derby
What a game in prospect at the Anoeta as Real Sociedad welcome Alaves.
Fortunately for both Basque sides, they sit a healthy eight and nine points respectively above the bottom four, and though they’ll go for the win, a draw isn’t necessarily a disaster.
It’s difficult to predict a winner here because although La Real ship an awful lot of goals, they’ve scored a fair amount too. In fact, only Valencia, Real Madrid and Barcelona have scored more.
Alaves won three on the spin before being outclassed by Real Madrid recently, but they’ve certainly shown the heart that was missing earlier in the season before Abelardo took over.
Man for man, Sociedad have the better players, with respect, but that means nothing if they’re not willing to put in a shift.
Far too many of their stars have gone missing this season, though Mikel Oyarzabal and Sergio Canales can generally be exempt from blame. Eusebio needs his midfield trio of Illarramendi, Zubeldia and Zurutuza to get hold of this one by the scruff of the neck.
For Alaves, John Guidetti continues to be eager to prove a point, whilst the spine of the team (Garcia, Torres, Laguardia, Ely) remain solid.
Seedorf still not off the mark
The former multiple Champions League winner, Clarence Seedorf, hasn’t had the best of starts at Depor. In fact, it’s been a downright disaster.
Not only has he not inspired his staff to a victory, but he’s yet to see them score. There can’t be too many instances of teams not getting a new manager bounce to this degree.
What it does show is that the mess at the club is a lot deeper than anyone imagined, but they’re not cast adrift as yet. Games are running out for them, but a couple of wins would work wonders.
Sadly, it won’t come against a dogged Eibar side.
Eneko Boveda was once again the weak link against Getafe last time out, and only Fabian Schar in Depor’s defence can emerge with any real credit.
Adrian Lopez and Zakaria Bakkali aren’t providing enough service out wide for Lucas Perez or Florin Andone to thrive on, and as such, they look a little disjointed.
Eibar, meanwhile, have always played for each other and as a decent unit. They’ve had to, to survive against the odds in the top flight season after season.
It’s that togetherness that will send them back to the Basque Country with all three points. Another solid performance, as against Villarreal on Wednesday will be just the ticket.
Kike Garcia will target Boveda from the off and with Fabian Orellana back to his best, don’t be surprised if this is over before half time.
