La Liga returns today for match day 22 with matches kicking off at 16:00hrs East African Time and running all through the weekend until Monday, February 20, 2023, at 23:00hrs East African Time.
Third-placed Real Sociedad will kick things off today hosting Celta Vigo who are languishing in 14th place on the table. Real Sociedad are looking for a win that will keep them in contention for Champions League football next season while Celta Vigo, who are only three points from safety would like to climb higher up the table before other relegation-threatened clubs play this weekend. Surprisingly, both teams have only managed to win two of their last five matches even with 19 points between them.
Real Betis, who are only four points out of the top four, will host Real Valladolid at 18:15hrs before Real Mallorca host Villareal at Son Moix stadium. Mallorca are looking to return to winning ways against a Villareal team that have lost their last three matches and have only managed to win one out of the last five.
Real Madrid, who are trying to keep tabs with league leaders Barcelona, will close the day with a trip to Osasuna, kicking off at 23:00hrs. Real Madrid’s squad have been boosted with the return of first-choice goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois and Vinicius Junior who missed the Elche game due to suspension. However, captain Karim Benzema and Toni Kroos did not make it to the squad.
Los Blancos cannot afford to drop any points at this league stage, and the best Osasuna have managed in the last five matches is one win. However, they’ve drawn three so they might be a tough nut to crack.
Tomorrow, Elche, who are sitting at the bottom of the table will host Espanyol knowing that a win will not change anything in their position since they only have nine points and there is a 10-point gap between them and 19th-placed Getafe.
Later, Sevilla will make the trip to Rayo Vellacano while fourth-placed Atletico Madrid will host Athletic Bilbao. Diego Simeone’s men have not lost any match in their last five, and hope to keep this form going against Athletic Club.
League leaders Barcelona will close off the weekend by hosting Cadiz at Camp Nou. Currently in a form where they have won all their last five La Liga matches, Barcelona don’t think a draw at home against Manchester United in the Europa play-off match on Thursday will stop them from taking all three points against a struggling Cadiz.
Barcelona will miss Pedri’s services, who got injured in midweek, and Ousmane Dembele who is still out injured. However, Xavi said that Sergio Busquets could be back to face Cadiz tomorrow.
Matchday 22 fixtures
Saturday, February 18, 2023
Real Sociedad vs Celta Vigo. Kick-off: 16:00
Real Betis vs Valladolid. Kick-off: 18:15
Mallorca vs Villarreal. Kick-off: 20:30
Osasuna vs Real Madrid. Kick-off: 23:00.
Tomorrow
Elche vs Espanyol. Kick-off: 16:00
Rayo Vallecano vs Sevilla. Kick-off: 18:15.
Atlético Madrid vs Athletic Club. Kick-off: 20:30
Barcelona vs Cadiz. Kick-off: 23:00
Monday, Feb 20
Getafe vs Valencia. Kick-off:
23:00
All times East African Standard Time.
