This article contains affiliate links to advertisers. The analysis is our own. Play responsibly, 18+
Friday night's contest between Real Madrid and Celta Vigo kicks off a bumper weekend of La Liga action, the result of which could have a major influence on the title race.
Rock-bottom Oviedo will be desperate to take three precious points from their meeting with European-chasing Espanyol, while several other relegation-threatened sides are also targeting key victories. Levante hope to make it back-to-back league wins when they welcome Girona to the Estadio Ciudad de Valencia, after Real Mallorca attempt to haul themselves out of the drop zone by beating Osasuna in the Saturday lunchtime kick-off.
Here are our top predictions for what promises to be a thrilling matchday
Celta Vigo v Real Madrid, Friday, 20:00 (BST)
The marquee tie of the round is arguably the opener between Celta Vigo and Real Madrid. Back in December, Saturday's hosts defeated Madrid at the Bernabéu to heap further pressure on subsequently-departed boss Xabi Alonso.
The Galicians have won six of their last seven home fixtures across all competitions and have also netted in eight consecutive matches at the Estadio de Balaídos. Six of those eight contests produced between two and four goals, while the same statistic appears when analysing each of Real Madrid's last seven league away outings.
Furthermore, four of the last five meetings between these two La Liga stalwarts have witnessed more than one but fewer than five goals, with the same pattern emerging in four of Real Madrid's last six visits to Vigo.
Prediction: Match Goals Range 2-4: 8/15 (bet365)
Explanation: This bet will land if there is more than one but fewer than five goals in the match, regardless of the final outcome.
Osasuna v Mallorca, Saturday, 13:00 (BST)
Osasuna's six-match unbeaten run came to an end last Sunday, as Valencia ran out 1-0 winners at the Mestalla. However, the Rojillos have one of the best home records in La Liga (W7, D3, L2), so they will be confident of defeating a Mallorca side who are acclimatising to life under the stewardship of newly-appointed manager Martín Demichelis.
The Balearic Islanders have lost all of their last four away matches, conceding at least two goals on each occasion. In fact, Mallorca have been poor on the road throughout the entirety of the campaign, winning just once away from the Son Moix so far.
Meanwhile, Alessio Lisci's men have won in four of their last six outings (D2) on home soil, only dropping points against high-flying Villarreal and a rejuvenated Athletic Bilbao outfit. Even the mighty Real Madrid recently suffered defeat in Navarra, as Raúl García's late winner ensured the hosts secured maximum points. It's perhaps also worth noting that Osasuna have won each of the last two league clashes between these two sides at the Estadio El Sadar.
Prediction: Osasuna to win: 3/4 (bet365)
Explanation: This bet lands if Osasuna win the match.
Levante v Girona, Saturday, 15.15 (BST)
Levante head into this tie following a convincing home triumph over Alavés, so they will be confident of defeating a Girona side who could yet be dragged into a relegation battle. Despite performing well in recent weeks, the Catalans have only managed to win one of their last six fixtures (D3, L2), a hard-fought victory over local rivals Barcelona at the Estadi Montilivi.
Girona have registered just three away wins all season, with each of these coming in a consecutive sequence over the festive period. However, Míchel's men have only accrued two points from their last three visits to opposing venues.
However, it remains to be seen whether the hosts can take advantage of their opponents' poor form. Levante are saddled with the worst home record in the division, having only recorded two league wins at the Estadi Ciutat de València all season. Nevertheless, as the home side who are currently in the midst of a desperate fight for survival, Levante will be doing everything to avoid defeat.
Prediction: Double Chance – Levante to win or draw: 8/15 (bet365)
Explanation: This bet will land if Girona do NOT win the match.
Atlético Madrid v Real Sociedad, Saturday, 17:30 (BST)
With both teams on the cusp of booking their place in the Copa del Rey final, this weekend's clash could be a dress rehearsal for next month's showpiece in Seville.
Atlético Madrid have performed exceptionally well at the Metropolitano on league duty this term (W11, D1, L1), and last lost on home soil to Real Sociedad way back in 2013. In the immediate aftermath of the first leg of their Copa del Rey meeting with Basque neighbours Athletic Bilbao, Pellegrino Matarazzo's men were comfortably beaten at the Bernabéu. With another trip to the Spanish capital following Wednesday's return leg, don't be surprised if we see a similarly convincing victory for the hosts on Saturday evening. The validity of this prediction is further strengthened by the fact that Sociedad have won just one of their last three league matches, a narrow 1-0 victory over struggling Mallorca Son Moix.
For the reasons outlined above, we fully expect Los Colchoneros to emerge triumphant ahead of next week's visit of Tottenham Hotspur in the Champions League round of 16.
Prediction: Atlético Madrid to win: 11/20 (bet365)
Explanation: This bet lands if Atlético Madrid win the match.
Athletic Bilbao v Barcelona, Saturday, 20:00 (BST)
This is sure to be one of the most absorbing contests of the weekend. Athletic Bilbao have been solid if not spectacular at the San Mamés this term, winning on seven occasions and averaging just over a goal per game. Meanwhile, Barcelona have netted a staggering 30 goals in their 13 away contests to press.
Four of Bilbao's last six league home fixtures have produced between two and four goals, while the same could be said of Barcelona's ten most recent away outings. Furthermore, the last three La Liga meetings between these two adversaries have witnessed a goals tally within the same range.
Prediction: Match Goals Range 2-4: 4/7 (bet365)
Explanation: This bet will land if there is more than one but fewer than five goals in the match, regardless of the final outcome.
Villarreal v Elche, Sunday, 13:00 (BST)
Both of these sides always attempt to play attractive football, so expect an entertaining Valencian derby at the Estadio de la Cerámica this weekend. Villarreal, currently fourth in the table but level on points with third-placed Atlético Madrid, have understandably been installed as clear favourites ahead of this clash.
Marcelino's men boast the fourth strongest home record in the Spanish top-flight, while Elche haven't won a single match since before Christmas and are the only La Liga outfit yet to claim a victory on the road this season.
Prediction: Villarreal to win: 12/25 (bet365)
Explanation: This bet lands if Villarreal win.
Sevilla v Rayo Vallecano, Sunday, 17:30 (BST)
This is an extremely difficult one to call. Sevilla are now unbeaten in four following a dramatic draw with Real Betis on Sunday, while Rayo Vallecano have impressively taken five points over the course of the last fortnight, despite facing three top ten sides throughout this period.
Both have delivered some recent credible performances, but you don't need to look too far back in the form book to find some challenging periods of form for either side. Therefore, although this is sure to be a very watchable tie, we're struggling to find many viable betting options.
Prediction: No bet.
Espanyol v Real Oviedo, Monday, 20:00 (BST)
Despite not having registered a single league victory since December, Espanyol head into the weekend in seventh position and therefore still harbour ambitions of European qualification. Although they have failed to win any of their last four fixtures at the RCDE Stadium, their overall home record (W6, D2, L5) remains relatively solid.
The Catalans will see the visit of La Liga's bottom club as an ideal opportunity to return to winning ways. Oviedo have only won three matches all season and are looking for a first away triumph since September's 2-1 victory over Valencia.
Espanyol have netted exactly two goals in each of their most recent three outings, so shot-shy Oviedo will struggle to secure a share of the spoils if the hosts can continue this trend on Monday night. The reverse fixture between these two sides ended 2-0 to the visitors, thanks to late goals from Kike García and Pere Milla at the Estadio Carlos Tartiere.
Prediction: Espanyol to win: 17/20 (bet365)
Explanation: This bet will land if Espanyol win.
Discover the best betting bonuses
If you want to make the most of this week’s La Liga action, let Flashscore be your trusted betting partner. On our dedicated bonuses page, you can access promo codes for the betting market's best sign-up offers and incentives.
Odds valid at the time of publication and may change.