Real Madrid returned to winning ways last night with a 2-0 win over 14th-placed Valencia thanks to second-half goals from Marco Asensio and Vinicius Junior.
This was a much-needed win for Carlo Ancelotti’s men as they try to keep tabs on league leaders Barcelona, who had opened up an eight-point gap at the top of the La Liga table.
The league returns today with Matchday 20, and 10 matches are on the card all throughout the weekend until Monday, starting with Athletic Bilbao hosting relegation-threatened Cadiz at San Mamez. Cadiz need the win more than their opponents so they can jump out of the relegation zone, but this might be hard to achieve as they have only four wins this season.
On Saturday, Espanyol will host Osasuna while Elche who are currently at the bottom of the table will play fifth-placed Villareal, and Atletico Madrid will play host to another relegation-threatened side Getafe.
A Win for Diego Simeone’s men will not change their position at the table but will cement their position in 4th. Real Betis will close the day’s business against Celta Vigo.
On Sunday, the Los Blancos will return to action with a trip to Mallorca, and are most likely to be without captain Karim Benzema and defender Eder Militao. The Frenchman was forced off in the 60th minute after having difficulties running while the Brazilian left the pitch as early as the 36th minute due to a muscular injury.
These join a long list of Real Madrid players in the sickbay including Ferland Mendy, David Alaba, and Lucas Vazquez. It is now up to the rest of the available players to fill in these injured players’ gaps.
Other matches on Sunday are Girona versus struggling Valencia and Real Sociedad against Valladolid at Jose Zorrilla Stadium.
Leaders Barcelona will close off the day at home against Sevilla, who are trying to get their season back on track. Sevilla have won three, drawn once, and lost as many in their last five matches, but this doesn’t make them a match for Barcelona, who have won four and drawn once in the same number of matches.
Summary of La Liga fixtures this weekend:
Friday 3rd February
Athletic Bilbao vs Cadiz. Kickoff: 23:00
Saturday 4th February
Espanyol vs Osasuna. Kickoff: 17:00
Elche vs Villareal. Kickoff: 18:15
Atletico Madrid vs Getafe. Kickoff: 20:30
Real Betis vs Celta Vigo. Kickoff: 23:00
Sunday 5th February
Real Mallorca vs Real Madrid. Kickoff: 16:00
Girona vs Valencia. Kickoff: 18:15
Real Sociedad vs Real Valladolid. Kickoff 20:30
Barcelona vs Sevilla. Kickoff: 23:00
Monday 6th February
Rayo Vallecano vs Almeria. Kickoff: 23:00
All times East African.
