When we last left La Liga nearly two weeks ago Barcelona remained the "kings of the mountain," two points clear of Valencia and three points ahead of Sevilla. Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid were closing fast, though, with both within striking distance of first place should the Blaugrana slip up.
La Liga schedule and preview, Week 8: Atlético Madrid and Real Madrid look to keep pace with Barcelona
All three of Spain’s title favorites face winnable matches as La Liga returns from the latest international break.
Manuel Queimadelos Alonso
It's not impossible for slips to happen at any point along the long and winding path of the season, but this week's matches don't look like ones that will shake things up at the top, at least on paper. Barcelona are home against ninth-place Eibar, while Real Madrid travel to face 17th-place Levante. Atléti are home as well, welcoming Espanyol to the Vincente Calderón. Anything less than three points for the three title favorites would be a shock, and neither of the Madrid sides can afford to let Barca get further ahead, even this early in the season.
Valencia and Sevilla remain the biggest surprises of the season, sitting second and third respectively in the table. Both teams are on the road with winnable games this week, as Los Che face Depor, while Sevilla is up against Elche.
Here’s the full schedule for Week 8 in La Liga:
Fri., Oct. 17
Granada vs. Rayo Vallecano | 3 p.m. ET, 9 p.m. CEST
Sat., Oct. 18
Levante vs. Real Madrid | 10 a.m. ET, 4 p.m. CEST
Athletic Club vs. Celta Vigo | 12 p.m. ET, 6 p.m. CEST
Barcelona vs. Eibar | 2 p.m. ET, 8 p.m. CEST
Córdoba vs. Málaga | 4 p.m. ET, 10 p.m. CEST
Sun., Oct. 19
Atlético Madrid vs. Espanyol | 6 a.m. ET, 12 p.m. CEST
Deportivo la Coruña vs. Valencia | 11 a.m. ET, 5 p.m. CEST
Elche vs. Sevilla | 1 p.m. ET, 7 p.m. CEST
Villarreal vs. Almería | 3 p.m. ET, 9 p.m. CEST
Mon., Oct. 20
Real Sociedad vs. Getafe | 2:45 p.m. ET, 8:45 p.m. CEST
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