LALIGA Preview: Rival clashes and heated title race — 5 essential talking points

Jude Bellingham stole the show in his first El Clasico last weekend. (Photo Credit: LALIGA Hub.)

FOOTBALL LALIGA Preview: Rival clashes and heated title race — 5 essential talking points

LALIGA Preview: Rival clashes and heated title race — 5 essential talking points

Izuchukwu Akawor • 04:39 - 03.11.2023

Real Madrid return to the Bernabéu to face neighbours Rayo Vallecano, while Barcelona have a tough game away at Real Sociedad in the LALIGA this weekend.

LALIGA EA Sports returns for matchday 12, with what promises to be another round of excitement after last weekend’s enthralling El Clasico. 

Here is a look at the five (5) biggest talking points heading into this weekend’s round of matches, key focus on rival clashes and an intense title race. 

1. Title Race Intensity

The LALIGA title race is heating up, with Real Madrid and surprise package, Girona FC, coming off crucial victories and tied at 28 points.

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Real Madrid’s electrifying win against bitter rivals Barcelona in the first El Clasico of the season, where Jude Bellingham shone like the star he is with a stunning brace, has added an extra layer of excitement to the race. 

Atletico Madrid are also in it after an excellent run, with the capital side just three points behind the top two, while defending champions, Barcelona, are a point behind.

2. Barcelona’s Quest to Bounce Back

Xavi Hernandez and his Barcelona team are looking to move on from the defeat in the El Clasico when they take on Sadid Umar's Real Sociedad.

Barcelona are the visitor at San Sebastian on Saturday and will be under pressure to avoid a second successive defeat in a bid to keep their title aspirations alive.

Lewandowski has not scored for Barcelona in 3 matches.
Robert Lewandowski will be looking to end his mini drought against Real Sociedad. (Photo Credit: LALIGA Hub)

3. Atletico Madrid’s Surge

Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid remain one of the most in-form teams at the moment in Europe. Atletico are unbeaten in their last nine matches across competitions.

They will be looking to maintain that run when they face UD Las Palmas in the first match of the matchday slated for Friday night.

Angel Correa celebrates an Atletico Madrid goal.
Angel Correa celebrates an Atletico Madrid goal. (Photo Credit: LALIGA Hub)

After winning six in a row in LALIGA, Simeone and his men have a chance to catch up with the leaders if they can make it seven in seven.

4. Girona’s Strong Start

It’s been a fairytale start to the season so far for the surprise package, Girona. 

Alex Garcia has been one of the standout stars for Girona. (Photo Credit: LALIGA Hub)

The joint-leaders are off to a remarkable start to the season after winning nine of their first 11 matches this season.

Girona are also joint-top scorers with 25 goals but face a challenging away match against CA Osasuna on matchday 12.

5. Real Madrid vs Rayo Vallecano

After the remarkable win against Barcelona in the Clasico, Carlo Ancelotti’s Los Blancos are back to the Bernabeu. 

Jude Bellingham with his trademark celebration. (Photo Credit: Real Madrid/X)

This particular fixture comes with a special significance for Fran Garcia, who faces his former club.

Last November, Rayo Vallecano defeated Real Madrid 3-2, adding extra intrigue to this encounter.

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Jude Bellingham Real Madrid Barcelona Girona Atletico Madrid LaLiga