Catalan capital derby headlines LaLiga weekend

The Catalan capital derby headlines this weekend’s LaLiga Santander Matchday 15 schedule, with current table-toppers Barcelona travelling to neighbours Espanyol in a schedule packed with neighbourly and historic rivalries.

It’s been 11 years since Espanyol beat Barça in front of their own fans, back when current Blaugrana captain Lionel Messi was still establishing himself in the first team, but Los Periquitos have only lost once so far this season at their RCDE Stadium.

An extra edge to Saturday evening’s game is added by Blaugrana coach Ernesto Valverde having played for and coached both clubs. Espanyol coach Rubi, meanwhile, was on the coaching staff at the Camp Nou during the 2013/14 season.

LaLiga’s weekend kicks off with another derby in the Spanish capital, as Leganes and Getafe meet at Butarque. The two teams are based just five kilometres apart in Madrid’s southern suburbs, making them geographically the closest local rivals in the top flight. Both also come into the game in good form following important wins last weekend.

Saturday’s action begins elsewhere in the capital with third-placed Atletico Madrid hosting fourth-placed Alaves. It’s likely to be a tight affair as the team from Vitoria have drawn two of their last three games, while Antoine Griezmann and company are unbeaten at the Wanda Metropolitano this term.

Next comes another historic clash as Valencia face Sevilla in a game always humming with rivalry between Spain’s third and fourth biggest cities. Valencia’s inconsistent start means getting a victory to make up ground in the table is even more important than usual, while second-placed Sevilla will know that another three points would put them temporarily back on top of the LaLiga Santander standings.

Villarreal host Celta Vigo later on Saturday afternoon with both clubs still in the bottom half but showing recent signs of improving form. The Yellow Submarine have also scored nine goals in their last two games against Celta at the Estadio de la Ceramica.

Two of LaLiga’s most in-form sides meet in Sunday’s early game, with Eibar looking for a third straight win in front of their fans at Ipurua and visitors Levante unbeaten in their last four games on their travels.

Next up are bottom side Huesca, badly in need of a boost, who welcome Real Madrid and newly crowned 2018 Ballon D’Or winner Luka Modric to El Alcoraz for the first time ever in LaLiga. Los Blancos have already been beaten on trips north to Eibar and Alaves this season, so will be out to avoid a nasty surprise.

Two teams looking to return to the top half of the table then meet at Anoeta, as a Real Sociedad team starting to click host a Real Valladolid side aiming for a first win in six LaLiga games.

Sunday’s final fixture has Rayo Vallecano travelling south to visit Real Betis in a fixture which usually promises goals: both of Rayo’s last visits to the Benito Villamarin have ended in 2-2 draws.

To round off the matchday, Monday brings a first game as Athletic Club coach for former Los Leones player Gaizka Garitano. It’s a tough debut: the visitors to Bilbao are a Girona side unbeaten away from home in LaLiga this season, with current Pichichi topscorer Cristhian Stuani in flying form (11 goals).

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