The first La Liga Madrid derbi of 2018/19 takes place on Saturday evening with things suddenly looking very exciting and unexpected at the top of the table.
Real Madrid coach Julen Lopetegui’s injury-hit team must regroup following a first defeat of the season at Sevilla on Wednesday, while Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone’s side goes to the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu after scoring five goals and taking six points in its last two LaLiga outings.
Saturday’s other showpiece game sees leader Barcelona, rocking after picking up just one point from its last two games, hosting an Athletic Bilbao side which also lost its unbeaten LaLiga record midweek.
LaLiga's gameweek seven begins Friday night when Rayo Vallecano will aim for its first home win of 2018/19 against an Espanyol team which has just one point on its travels so far.
Saturday’s lunchtime kick-off is Real Sociedad at home to Valencia - with the Txuri-Urdin similarly aiming for an opening three points at their newlook Anoeta stadium, and Los Che yet to win away from their own supporters.
Later on Saturday, Eibar will be aiming for a third straight home victory at Ipurua against a freescoring Sevilla side which shocked Real Madrid 3-0 on Wednesday evening and has 10 goals in two LaLiga games outside the Andalusian capital so far this season.
Sunday’s early game sees new boys Huesca looking to get their first ever LaLiga season back on an upward curve, taking on a Girona team already looking established at this level after just 13 months in the top division.
Another newly promoted outfit Valladolid is next in action at Villarreal, with the Blanquivioletas [White and Violets] impressively unbeaten in their three away games so far, while the Yellow Submarine have surprisingly yet to win in front of their own fans at the Estadio de la Ceramica.
Levante supporters will also be hopeful of cheering a first 2018/19 three points at the Ciutat de Valencia later on Sunday, with visitor Alaves travelling confidently having won both of its last two on the road to push the Basques towards the top of the early LaLiga standings.
Having had a rollercoaster start to the new season Real Betis fans will be hopeful of a comfortable victory against Leganes, which is sure to travel in good cheer following its surprise 2-1 win against Barca on Wednesday evening.
Monday evening’s game has high flying Galicians Celta Vigo aiming to continue its unbeaten start at home, while visitor Getafe will not be fearful having drawn on three of its last four visits to Balaidos.
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