Real Madrid's hopes of winning La Liga received a major shot in the arm last weekend when Barcelona suffered a surprise defeat to struggling Deportivo La Coruna.
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Zinedine Zidane's men capitalised by seeing off Real Betis and restoring themselves to first place but face a challenge to keep their grip on top spot when they visit Athletic Club, a strong home side, at San Mames.
Here is the table as it stands and full schedule for the weekend ahead...
LA LIGA TABLE
| P | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Real Madrid | 26 | 19 | 5 | 2 | 69 | 27 | 42 | 62 |
| 2 | Barcelona | 27 | 18 | 6 | 3 | 77 | 23 | 54 | 60 |
| 3 | Sevilla | 27 | 17 | 6 | 4 | 51 | 31 | 20 | 57 |
| 4 | Atlético de Madrid | 27 | 15 | 7 | 5 | 49 | 22 | 27 | 52 |
| 5 | Villarreal | 27 | 13 | 9 | 5 | 39 | 19 | 20 | 48 |
| 6 | Real Sociedad | 27 | 15 | 3 | 9 | 42 | 38 | 4 | 48 |
| 7 | Athletic Club | 27 | 13 | 5 | 9 | 34 | 30 | 4 | 44 |
| 8 | Eibar | 27 | 11 | 7 | 9 | 43 | 38 | 5 | 40 |
| 9 | Espanyol | 27 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 39 | 38 | 1 | 39 |
| 10 | Alavés | 27 | 9 | 10 | 8 | 28 | 33 | -5 | 37 |
| 11 | Celta de Vigo | 26 | 10 | 5 | 11 | 39 | 45 | -6 | 35 |
| 12 | Las Palmas | 27 | 8 | 8 | 11 | 43 | 45 | -2 | 32 |
| 13 | Valencia CF | 27 | 8 | 6 | 13 | 36 | 47 | -11 | 30 |
| 14 | Real Betis | 27 | 7 | 7 | 13 | 29 | 44 | -15 | 28 |
| 15 | Deportivo de La Coruña | 27 | 6 | 9 | 12 | 31 | 42 | -11 | 27 |
| 16 | Málaga | 27 | 6 | 8 | 13 | 33 | 45 | -12 | 26 |
| 17 | Leganés | 27 | 6 | 7 | 14 | 22 | 41 | -19 | 25 |
| 18 | Granada CF | 27 | 4 | 7 | 16 | 24 | 55 | -31 | 19 |
| 19 | Sporting de Gijón | 27 | 4 | 6 | 17 | 28 | 56 | -28 | 18 |
| 20 | Osasuna | 27 | 1 | 8 | 18 | 28 | 65 | -37 | 11 |
Friday, March 17
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Las Palmas vs Villarreal
| Time (GMT) | Venue | UK TV channel | US TV channel |
|---|---|---|---|
| 19:45 | Estadio Gran Canaria | Sky Sports 5 | beINesp |
Los Amarillos meet El Submarino Amarillo in a very yellow battle in Gran Canaria to kick off the weekend's action.
Las Palmas achieved an excellent 11th-place finish on their return to the top flight last season and sit 12th this year. They have started to attract some bigger names in the likes of Kevin-Prince Boateng, Jese and Alen Halilovic, the latter two of whom are on loan, but have just one win in seven and face a stern test here against Villarreal side that has only failed to beat Real Madrid in its last six matches.
Saturday, March 18
Eibar vs Espanyol
| Time (GMT) | Venue | UK TV channel | US TV channel |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12:00 | Ipurua | Sky Sports 5 | None |
While Las Palmas' progress has been impressive, Eibar might be the biggest overachievers in La Liga. They would have been relegated at the end of their first season in the top flight - 2014-15 - if not for Elche's financial mismanagement but improved to 14th last season and are a remarkable eighth this time around.
Playing in a stadium that holds just over 7,000 fans, they will either cement that position or lose it against Espanyol, who are one point behind them.
Athletic Club vs Real Madrid
| Time (GMT) | Venue | UK TV channel | US TV channel |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15:15 | San Mames | None | beIN Sports |
With Atletico Madrid meeting Sevilla on Sunday, Real Madrid have the chance to gain ground on at least one of their title rivals this weekend, even if it is not Barcelona.
Navigating a trip to San Mames is never an easy task, however, and Athletic have won five in a row on their own turf in all competitions to maintain one of the division's best home records. The last time they failed to win as hosts was when Atletico nicked a late point in January.
Alaves vs Real Sociedad
| Time (GMT) | Venue | UK TV channel | US TV channel |
|---|---|---|---|
| 17:30 | Mendizorrotza | Sky Sports (red button) | beINesp |
Alaves are back in La Liga for the first time since 2005-06 and will be very satisfied to be safely moored in mid-table with a Copa del Rey final against Barcelona to look forward to.
There is a bit more at stake during the run-in for Real Sociedad, however, who still have a shot at claiming the fourth Champions League place. Eusebio Sacristan's team has won as many games as Real Madrid away from home and Alaves have struggled to score in front of their home fans, so they will fancy their chances here.
Real Betis vs Osasuna
| Time (GMT) | Venue | UK TV channel | US TV channel |
|---|---|---|---|
| 19:45 | Estadio Benito Villamarin | Sky Sports 5 | beINesp |
There are plenty of meaningful games on the schedule in La Liga this weekend, but this is not one of them.
Osasuna were always facing an uphill struggle after finishing sixth in the Segunda Division last season and sneaking into the top flight by winning the playoffs, but they have been even worse than anticipated. Betis, meanwhile, are relatively safe but unlikely to crack the top half.
Sunday, March 19
Leganes vs Malaga
| Time (GMT) | Venue | UK TV channel | US TV channel |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11:00 | Estadio Municipal de Butarque | Sky Sports 3 | None |
Another newly promoted side punching above their weight, Leganes have opened up a six-point gap above the drop zone and could take another huge step towards survival by beating Malaga, who are a point ahead of them.
They have a good chance of doing so - Malaga are in a tail spin and have won just once since November. Michel has replaced Marcelo Romero as manager in an attempt to arrest the slide but got off to a losing start against Alaves.
Atletico Madrid vs Sevilla
| Time (GMT) | Venue | UK TV channel | US TV channel |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15:15 | Vicente Calderon | Sky Sports 2 | beIN Sports |
Sevilla are having a wobble. Draws with Deportivo and Leganes have knocked their title hopes and Leicester City dumped them out of the Champions League, leaving Jorge Sampaoli to fight to ensure their place in Europe's top competition next season is not threatened.
They have a nine-point advantage over fifth-place Villarreal and should be fine on that front, but earning a morale-boosting win at Atletico will not be easy.
Deportivo La Coruna vs Celta Vigo
| Time (GMT) | Venue | UK TV channel | US TV channel |
|---|---|---|---|
| 17:30 | Estadio Riazor | Sky Sports (red button) | beINesp |
Pepe Mel has made an excellent start at Deportivo, taking a team two points above the relegation zone when he took over to two wins and two draws in his first four games. It's an even more impressive run when you consider that they have faced both Barcelona and Atletico Madrid.
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Mel has been aided by the fact that four of his first five games are at home, and he will hope to cap that run off with another victory that will go a long way to securing survival. Celta are a decent side but beatable on their travels.
Sporting Gijon vs Granada
| Time (GMT) | Venue | UK TV channel | US TV channel |
|---|---|---|---|
| 17:30 | El Molinon | Sky Sports 2 | beINesp |
This is winner takes all. A draw does neither of these two relegation-threatened sides much good but a victor will find themselves creeping up on Leganes and/or Malaga, who meet earlier in the day.
Sporting have been nightmarishly bad of late and it's hard to see them being consistent enough to mount a challenge to survive, but Granada have started winning their home games to give themselves a chance. They could really do with ending a woeful, winless away record here, though.
Barcelona vs Valencia
| Time (GMT) | Venue | UK TV channel | US TV channel |
|---|---|---|---|
| 19:45 | Camp Nou | Sky Sports 2 / Mix | beIN Sports |
Deportivo did Real Madrid a massive favour, because the title race was starting to swing in Barca's direction before their surprise defeat last weekend. Going into that game, Luis Enrique's side were four points better off in the league than their rivals since January 1 but now Madrid have recouped three.
There is still plenty of football - and a Clasico - to be played, but Barca are now into must-win territory. With Real at San Mames, there is a decent chance they will go into this game with a chance to at least draw level at the top, though they have played a game more.