Sky Bet's La Liga preview: Barcelona face tough task keeping pace with Real Madrid
Friday 25 November 2016 18:33, UK
New La Liga favourites Real Madrid will look to put further space between themselves and the chasing pack this weekend, with their main rivals facing tough games.
Zinedine Zidane's men were installed at the head of Sky Bet's outright market for the first time after triumphing 3-0 at Atletico Madrid last Saturday, taking full advantage of Barcelona's failure to break down Malaga's nine men.
They have the chance to extend their lead from four points to seven when rank outsiders Sporting Gijon visit at 3.15pm on Saturday, while Luis Enrique's side will have to wait until Sunday's late game in their bid to reduce the gap.
Their task is no mean feat either, with opponents Real Sociedad boasting four successive victories, a run which has seen them climb to fifth.
Atletico and Villarreal will also be desperate to get back on track on Sunday, while Saturday night's game provides us with an intriguing clash between Sevilla and Valencia, all live on Sky Sports.
Here's a closer look at this weekend's key fixtures…
Real Madrid v Sporting Gijon (3.15pm, Saturday)
The epitome of a home banker, it looks more a case of by how many than whether Real can secure the three points on Saturday.
However, just as Zidane seemed to have his side moving into top gear, they lost Gareth Bale for up to three months.
While his absence might not be enough to give Sporting a glimmer of hope, it will certainly be a concern ahead of the Clasico on December 3, which is closely followed by a group-winner deciding trip to Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League.
Alvaro Morata is also sidelined, meaning Lucas Vazquez and Karim Benzema should start, although Marco Asensio and James Rodriguez will also be hoping for opportunities to impress.
Fortunately for Real, Cristiano Ronaldo is back in the sort of form that suggests he will relish the additional burden of expectation.
Zidane's back-line have tightened up at last as well, conceding just once in their previous three games, presenting Sporting with the toughest of tasks.
Sky Bet prediction: Real Madrid to win to nil - 4/5
Sevilla v Valencia (7.45pm, Saturday, live on Sky Sports 4 HD)
Sevilla may have suffered two tough defeats at the hands of Barcelona and Juventus but make no mistake, they are a side on the up and deserve to be strong favourites against Valencia.
They were more than a match for Barca before the international break and could well have had top spot wrapped up in their Champions League group, but for a 37th-minute sending off for Franco Vazquez that contributed to their lead slipping away.
Assuming they have not been disheartened by those painful losses, they will have far too much quality and intensity for a Valencia side short of confidence and still worryingly short of points.
If Cesare Prandelli wasn't initially aware of task facing him at the Mestalla, then it has been made crystal clear by his side's failure to beat Deportivo La Coruna, Celta Vigo and Granada.
The latter was the most troubling given Granada are rock bottom.
Sky Bet prediction: Sevilla to win by two or more goals - 7/4
Live La Liga Football
Real Sociedad v Barcelona (7.45pm, Sunday, live on Sky Sports 1 HD)
Barcelona may be getting closer to a clean bill of health but there's no doubt this is a tough test of their credentials.
Real Sociedad's four-match winning run is impressive but the nature of their triumphs is also worth noting, with each win being by two goals or more.
That includes a 2-0 success over Atletico in San Sebastian, with Xabi Prieto, William Jose and Carlos Vela each netting multiple times during the run.
The question is whether they can handle Barca if the big names turn up, although they have a good recent record. The Catalans have failed to win at the Anoeta Stadium in seven trips and have lost their last three visits.
Their main concern will be the upturn in form of Lionel Messi, who has 15 goals in his last 10 appearances.
Barca have also been at their best away from the Nou Camp this season, winning five of their six trips, and have welcomed back Jordi Alba and Gerard Pique in their last two games.
Sky Bet prediction: Messi to score and Barca to win - 11/10
Live La Liga Football
Best of the rest
Elsewhere on Sunday, Diego Simeone will be desperate to see his Atletico side return to winning ways after losing their last two matches.
Osasuna are their hosts and offer little to suggest they are capable of adding to Atletico's woes given they've won just once this season, while their visitors have already bounced back from their humbling Madrid derby loss by beating PSV 2-0 midweek.
Live La Liga Football
Villarreal will be keen to keep Atletico out of the top four by bouncing back from their own loss, a 1-0 defeat in Bilbao, when they host Alaves in the early kick-off.
Live La Liga Football
The 5.30pm fixture sees Granada attempt to record their first victory of the season when they visit a Celta Vigo side looking to record a fifth successive home win.
Saturday's action involves Deportivo making a tough trip to Malaga, who have a better home record than Barca this season, while Espanyol will be looking to secure their first home victory against a Leganes side winless on the road.
Live La Liga Football
On Monday night, seventh-placed Athletic will be seeking to make the most of any slip-ups above when they make their longest trip of the season to Las Palmas.
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