The title race should be shook up this weekend as two of the three teams at the top of the table face challenges this weekend from teams chasing achievement of their own.
La Liga, Round 22: Atlético Madrid and Real Madrid both face tough tests
Atlético Madrid and Real Madrid both face tough games that could open the door for Barcelona to expand their lead at the top of the league.
Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno
Atlético Madrid, currently tied on points with Barcelona, welcome 6th placed Real Sociedad to the Vincente Calderon. La Real have won two straight league matches and sit a single point behind Villarreal in fifth place. The two teams were busy during the midweek in the Copa del Rey, with both advancing to the semifinals. Atléti's advantage will be their defense which is one of the best in the league, especially with La Real a team capable of being shutdown by a stout defense.
Real Madrid travel to face Athletic Bilbao at the new San Mamés. Until this week, Atheltic had yet to lose at home this season but a loss against Atlético Madrid in the Copa del Rey ended that streak. San Mamés remains a formidable place to play though with Barcelona already having lost their earlier in the season.
Barcelona will attempt to remain in first place with a home match against tenth placed Valencia.
Here’s the full schedule for round 22 in Spain.
Friday, January 31st
Granada vs. Celta Vigo | 3:00 p.m. ET, 9:00 p.m. CEST
Saturday, February 1st
Barcelona vs. Valencia | 10:00 a.m. ET, 4:00 p.m. CEST
Levante vs. Rayo Vallecano | 12:00 p.m. ET, 6:00 p.m. CEST
Getafe vs. Real Valladolid | 2:00 p.m. ET, 8:00 p.m. CEST
Sunday, February 2nd
Elche vs. Almeria | 6:00 a.m. ET, 12:00 p.m. CEST
Real Betis vs. Espanyol | 11:00 a.m. ET, 5:00 p.m. CEST
Atlético Madrid vs. Real Soceidad | 1:00 p.m. ET, 7:00 p.m. CEST
Athletic Bilbao vs. Real Madrid | 3:00 p.m. ET, 9:00 p.m. CEST
Monday, February 3rd
Villarreal vs. Osasauna | 4:00 p.m. ET, 10:00 p.m. CEST
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