¡Hola, football enthusiasts! It’s time for another epic La Liga matchday of the 2024-25 season, which promises high-stakes battles and thrilling moments to keep you glued to your seats. As Real Madrid is only a point apart from first place in Barcelona, their upcoming match with Rayo Vallecano will be a crucial turning point for them to make a massive shake in the standing table. To continue their dominance in the 2024-25 La Liga season, Barcelona needs to keep Leganes at bay. This matchday 17 will kickstart with the battle between Valladolid and Valencia and wrap up with a fierce match between Barcelona and Leganes.
Matchday 16 of the 2024-25 La Liga season gave fans plenty of excitement and drama. The weekend started with a strong performance from Celta Viga, who defeated Mallorca 2-0. The game highlighted Celta Viga’s dominance and strategic prowess on the field. Meanwhile, Las Palmas managed a narrow victory over Real Valladolid, 2-1. Despite strong performances from both ends, Real Betis and Barcelona battled and ended up in a 2-2 draw. Rayo Vallecano secured a surprising 1-0 victory over Valencia, and Real Madrid had an impressive, commanding victory over Girona with 3-0. Real Sociedad dismantled Leganés in another significant match with a 3-0 win. While Athletic Club defeated Villarreal with a solid scoreline of 2-0, Osasuna and Alavés played out an entertaining 2-2 draw. Atletico Madrid edged out Sevilla in a thrilling 4-3 victory, and Getafe secured a 1-0 win over Espanyol. Overall, matchday 16 was filled with action, which showcased the teams’ skill and strategy.
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Valladolid vs. Valencia
On December 14, 2024, Valladolid will compete against Valencia at Estadio José Zorrilla (Valladolid) on matchday 17 of the La Liga showdown.
Championship Won
- Valladolid CF: 0 La Liga title
- Valencia: 6 La Liga titles
This 2024-25 season was a complete disaster for both teams. Valladolid is standing at the bottom of the La Liga table with a record of two wins, three draws, and 11 losses, and their last five matches ended in four losses and one draw. On the other hand, Valencia is standing above Valladolid with two wins, four draws, and eight losses. Their last five matches ended in three defeats, one draw, and one win.
In addition to their performances, Valladolid is at the bottom of the offense table, scoring 11 total goals with an average of 0.7 points per game. Defensively, they are the team that conceded the most goals this season, with 34 total goals conceded with an average of 2.1 points per game. Considering their head-to-head matches, Valencia will have a higher chance of winning this game.
Espanyol vs. Osasuna
Espanyol will host Osasuna at RCDE Stadium (Cornella de Llobregat) on December 14, 2024, in the highly anticipated La Liga encounter.
Championship Won
- Espanyol de Barcelona: 0 La Liga title
- CA Osasuna: 0 La Liga title
Espanyol has struggled a lot this season, with three wins and seven losses in their last ten matches. Consistency is becoming a significant issue for them. Due to their underperformance, Espanyol is in the bottom third of the palace and fighting in the relegation battle. However, if they use the upcoming opportunity wisely, they can safeguard themselves from this relegation zone and move their standing level upward.
Osasuna heads into this match with a mixed bag of results. They are competing for the Europa Conference League qualifiers by tying up their score with Real Sociedad’s 24 points, so the forthcoming match will also be crucial for them to qualify for the league match. They were undefeated in their last three games but ended up in a draw, so they need to focus more on their offense to grab the victory. Therefore, Osasuna has a higher chance of winning this game.
Mallorca vs. Girona
For matchday 17, Girona will travel to Estadi Mallorca Son Moix (Palma de Mallorca) to face Mallorca on December 14, 2024, in La Liga action 2024-25.
Championship Won
- Mallorca: 0 La Liga title
- Girona: 0 La Liga title
This week will be a bouncing-back one for both Mallorca and Girona, where Mallorca suffered a defeat with Celta Vigo without scoring a single shot in the entire game. Girona lost to the second place Real Madrid in the same scenario as Mallorca without shooting a single goal. This shows how the teams struggle to balance their offense and defense, which will be a significant issue when they face teams with strong attacks and solid defenses.
As both teams are in the first half of the table, one behind one, this match will be game-changing and alter their position. Based on their H2H statistics and the home advantage, Mallorca has an edge to win this game, but Girona’s performance is also not a take-it-easy. They are more competitive in away games. A surprise strategy will arise and give a tough call on game day.
Sevilla vs. Celta Vigo
In round 17 of the La Liga showdown, Sevilla will lock the horn switch with Celta Vigo on December 14, 2024, at Estadio Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán (Sevilla).
Championship Won
- Sevilla FC: 1 La Liga title
- Celta de Vigo: 0 La Liga title
Both Sevilla and Celta Vigo share their ups and downs this season, which makes this match crucial to see how they are trying to push up from the downs they faced in the season. Sevilla is currently experiencing phenomenal home games, and players like Isaac Romero and Kelechi Iheanacho are instrumental in their attack, while Loiu Badé and Kike Salas provide solid defensive midfield and defensive backs.
While Celta Vigo showed more intense competition, they struggled on the road, losing five out of nine away matches. Iago Aspas remains their main goal threat, while Gabri Veiga has been influential in midfield. Defenders Joseph Aidoo and Unai Núñez have maintained a solid defensive structure. Considering Sevilla’s home strength, Celta Vigo’s offensive threat, and the intense midfield battle, both teams will secure as many points as possible, but Sevilla is slightly favored to win this game.
Rayo Vallecano vs. Real Madrid
With an excellent performance in round 16, Real Madrid is all set to take on Rayo Vallecano on December 15, 2024, at Campo de Futbol de Vallecas (Madrid).
Championship Won
- Rayo Vallecano: 0 La Liga title
- Real Madrid: 35 La Liga titles
With a tremendous ongoing campaign, Real Madrid tasted their second season defeat in their preponed matchday 19 against Ath Bilbao. In the 14th minute, Kylian Mbappe’s goal was disallowed, which made the team miss the chance to dominate the game. In the second half, Jude Bellingham managed to secure one goal, but the 80th-minute goal from the opponent ended the game in a defeat for Real Madrid. Despite these setbacks, they secured their round 16 triumph against Girona with a dominant scoreline of 3-0. Real Madrid stands second in the table with 11 wins, three draws, and two losses.
In addition, they are just two points back in first place, Barcelona. If they put forth more challenging efforts in the upcoming matches, they can secure the top spot and have a higher chance for their second consecutive title. On the other hand, Rayo Vallecano is standing in the middle of the table with five wins, four draws, and six losses. In the previous match, they snapped their three consecutive losses by knocking off Valencia with a score of 0-1. Their defense was just wow, but the trouble is their attack, so they need to focus and rectify that as soon as possible. Real Madrid will have a higher chance of winning this game when calculating their overall performances and record.
Atlético de Madrid vs. Getafe
On December 15, 2024, Atletico de Madrid will welcome Getafe to their home stadium, Metropolitano Stadium (Madrid), in the anticipated La Liga showdown.
Championship Won
- Atlético de Madrid: 11 La Liga titles
- Getafe: 0 La Liga title
Atletico de Madrid currently sits in third place in the La Liga table with a record of 10 wins, five draws, and one last, and in their previous five matches, they were undefeated with 35 points. Regarding their attack, they are standing third in the offense table with 30 total goals scored with an average of 1.9 points per game, and this season, they have the second-best defense with a total of 11 goals conceded with an average of 0.7 points per game. In their last matches at their home ground, they suffered only one defeat, and most of the time, their home ground was filled with fans, boosting them to secure a victory. Getafe is in 15th place with mixed results of three wins, seven draws, and six losses.
Despite many ebbs and flows, they have the potential to climb up in the league and prove how strong enough they are in this season. The primary issue is their offense, which placed them in the bottom second of the offense table, with only 11 goals scored and an average of 0.7 points per game. Defensively, they are impressive by conceding only 13 goals so far, with an average of 0.8 points conceded per game. Both teams can make the win on their end, but considering the balanced offense and defense, Atletico de Madrid will win this game.
Deportivo Alavés vs. Athletic Club
At Estadio Mendizorrotza (Vitoria-Gasteiz), Alaves will face Athletic Club on December 15, 2024, in the upcoming 2024-25 La Liga action.
Championship Won
- Deportivo Alavés: 0 La Liga title
- Athletic Club: 8 La Liga titles
Deportivo Alaves will face a high-flying Athletic Club, which will be a struggle for them. This season, the Athletic Club is enjoying a stellar campaign, which placed them fourth in the table with 32 points. While Deportivo Alaves is just two steps away from the relegation zone, they need to use every opportunity in the upcoming days to push up their position and eliminate relegation. Looking over their H2H records, historically, Athletic Club has had the upper hand by winning 67% of their encounters compared to Deportivo Alaves, 33%, and their last few meetings have been closely contested, with Athletic Club winning 2-0 in a most recent clash on March 17, 2024.
Athletic Club has an undefeated record of seven wins and three draws in their previous ten matches. The key factor we must consider here is playing at their home stadium. Deportivo Alaves will look to capitalize and secure a crucial win. While Athletic Club was the most considerable one, it aimed to exploit Deportivo Alaves’ defensive vulnerabilities and score goals. Given their overall performance, the Athletic Club will have an advantage in winning this game.
Real Sociedad vs. Las Palmas
Real Sociedad will host Las Palmas on December 15, 2024, at Reale Arena in a highly anticipated La Liga clash.
Championship Won
- Real Sociedad: 2 La Liga titles
- Las Palmas: 0 La Liga title
Real Sociedad is currently in sixth place with 24 points from 16 matches. They have been playing well lately, with seven wins, three draws, and six defeats, which indicates that they are playing a balanced game. The team has scored 16 goals and conceded 11, which reflects their solid defensive structure and effective attacking play. On the other hand, Las Palmas is placed 14th with 18 points from 16 matches.
The season has been mixed with highs and lows for Las Palmas, as they have managed to win five games, draw 3, and lose 8. Las Palmas scored 22 points but conceded 27 points. Their away form has been a worry, with three wins and five defeats. This match is vital for Real Sociedad to maintain their push for European qualification, so they will push up and win this game.
Villarreal vs. Real Betis Balompié
For round 17, Villarreal will host Betis at Estadio de la Ceramica (Villarreal) on December 15, 2024, in the exhilarating 2024-25 La Liga showdown.
Championship Won
- Villarreal: 0 La Liga title
- Real Betis Balompié: 1 La Liga title
Villarreal is fifth with 29 points from 16 matches and should look to strengthen its position to finish within the top four for a Champions League spot. Their last few games have been quite mixed. On the other hand, Real Betis is 11th with 21 points from 16 matches in the season. It has experienced an uneven performance, with six wins, four draws, and six defeats.
However, they scored 24 goals and lost 27, showing their attacking skill and defensive weakness. The outcome of this match will be crucial for Villarreal as they aim to maintain their push for Champions League qualification, while Betis will be looking to climb away from the mid-table and secure a more comfortable position in the standings. As a result, Villarreal will have an edge in winning this game.
Barcelona vs. Leganes
Matchday 17 will wrap up with the battle between Barcelona and Leganes on December 16, 2024, at Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys (Barcelona) in La Liga encounter.
Championship Won
- Barcelona: 27 La Liga titles
- CD Leganés: 0 La Liga title
This season was phenomenal for Barcelona, who showed consistent performance, enduring in the top position with a record of 12 wins, two draws, and three losses. Their last five matches were a mix of emotions, but they are slowly bouncing back and making a mark in this La Liga competition. In addition to this, their attacking prowess with 50 goals and solid defense, conceding just 19, showcase their determination and resilience. Leganes, however, is in a precarious position, currently sitting in 17th place with 15 points from 16 matches. Their season has been a struggle for consistency, with three wins, six draws, and seven defeats.
They have managed to score 14 goals but have conceded 20, which shows their defensive vulnerabilities. In this battle, we can expect a dominant possession and numerous scoring opportunities from Barcelona. At the same time, Leganes will need to be resilient defensively and capitalize on counter-attack opportunities to stand a chance. Historically, Barcelona has had the upper hand by winning 75.8% of their encounters compared to Leganes’ 32.53%. This match is crucial because Barcelona is to continue their momentum, and Leganes is to avoid the relegation zone. Therefore, Barcelona will have an edge in winning this game.