As we head into matchday 18 of the 2024-25 La Liga fixture, the week will be fun-filled, with intense drama and a range of emotional moments. On matchday 18, one of the standout matches was the showdown between FC Barcelona and Atlético de Madrid, where both teams vied for the top spot in the La Liga table. The game involves more than merely competing for three-point shots; the result of this match could notably affect the title race. On the other hand, Real Madrid will face Sevilla FC at the Santiago Bernabéu. This game will be emotional since Sevilla’s legend Jesús Navas is expected to hang up his boots after a storied career. The home advantage will play its trick for Real Madrid to ensure that they keep their hopes of winning alive. Other interesting matches include Getafe CF against RCD Mallorca and Valencia CF against Deportivo Alavés. With all the drama of games involving teams fighting for survival, European dreams, and bragging rights, there is everything to play for.
On matchday 17, some teams had solid defenses, others had balanced attacks and defenses, and others lost by a narrow margin. It was interesting, but none of the teams scored high points. Despite their red card, Real Valladolid triumphed over Valencia with a solo goal from Anuar Mohamed Tuhami. In a hard-fought battle, Espanyol and Osasuna concluded round 17 in a goalless draw, and both teams’ defenses held firm throughout the match. With a 2-1 scoreline, Mallorca defeated Girona; even though they were reduced to ten men, Mallorca managed to secure a triumph, and Sevilla edged out Celta Vigo with a narrow 1-0 victory, which showcased their resilience and defensive strength.
The round 17 showed another drawn match between Rayo Vallecano and Real Madrid with a score of 3-3. Both teams showcased impressive attacking skills and resolve, producing an exhilarating high-scoring game. Matchday 17 was a phenomenal matchup for Atlético Madrid, who secured a vital win against Getafe, maintaining their push towards the top. At the same time, Real Betis secured a triumph over Villarreal 2-1, and Real Sociedad and Las Palmas ended in a scoreless draw, as neither side could find the net. In the final match of matchday 17, Leganes achieved an unexpected 1-0 victory over Barcelona at Camp Nou. With the same excitement, we are moving forward to matchday 18, where significant matches will turn the table upside down. If you’re looking for the latest sports updates, feel free to check out our website!
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Girona vs. Valladolid
For round 18, Valladolid will travel to Estadio Municipal de Montilivi (Girona) on December 20, 2024, to compete against Girona in the exciting 2024-25 La Liga showdown.
Championship Won
- Girona: 0 La Liga title
- Valladolid CF: 0 La Liga title
Girona is coming off with four consecutive defeats in all competition, and except for their last match with Mallorca, the other three games ended up in defeat without scoring a single shot. In round 17, they took the early lead against Mallorca with a goal from
Donny van de Beek scored the team’s only goal in the seventh minute. However, they didn’t find their rhythm in the second half and were defeated. Girona is in 10th place with a record of six wins, four draws, and seven losses, so their mid position in the table made them away from the qualification and relegation zone.
At the same time, Valladolid is heading into this match with a trump over Valencia with a score of 1-0. In the 20th minute of the game, Anuar shot the first goal, which was the only point that saved Valladolid from defeat. Still, in 2024-25, Valladolid is battling for relegation by standing in the bottom second position with a record of three wins, three draws, and seven losses. Given the recent drop and undefeated home record, Girona will have an edge to win this game over Valladolid.
Getafe vs. Mallorca
As the teams navigate to the mid-season fixture, Getafe will take Mallorca on December 21, 2024, at Coliseum (Getafe) in round 18 of the 2024-25 La Liga encounter.
Championship Won
- Getafe: 0 La Liga title
- Mallorca: 0 La Liga title
Getafe currently finds themselves in the 16th position in the La Liga table. They have had a challenging season, with recent results including a narrow 1-0 defeat to Atlético Madrid. However, Getafe has shown resilience at home, and they will be looking to bounce back with a strong performance against Mallorca. On the other hand, Mallorca is in 6th place, and they have been performing well this season. They recently achieved a 2-1 win over Girona, which has lifted their confidence for this match. Mallorca will look to extend their winning streak and move up further in the standings.
Over their head-to-head matches, both teams have faced each other 34 times in La Liga, winning 13 games each. In their recent form, Getafe won two out of their last four matches, whereas Mallorca has shown better overall form. In their tactical approaches, Getafe could employ a more defensive approach centered on counter-attacks, whereas Mallorca may aim to control possession and take advantage of Getafe’s defensive weaknesses. Considering the current performance of Mallorca and the struggle of Getafe, Mallorca will have the upper hand in this matchup.
Celta de Vigo vs. Real Sociedad
At Estadio de Balaídos (Vigo), Celta Vigo will host Real Sociedad on December 21, 2024, in matchday 18 of the La Liga fixture 2024-25.
Championship Won
- Celta de Vigo: 0 La Liga title
- Real Sociedad: 2 La Liga titles
So far, Real Sociedad has had an impressive season. They have won seven games, drawn four, and lost six, putting them in seventh place in the league table with 25 points. Even though their offense was relatively lagging, with 16 goals scored at an average of 0.9 points per game, their defense was the best this season. They stood ahead in the defensive table with only 11 total goals conceded at an average of 0.6 points per game. While Celta de Vigo is coming off with a mixed bag of results of six wins, three draws, and eight losses, with 21 points, they are in 13th place in the La Liga table.
This season, their offense was quite impressive, with a total of 25 goals scored with an average of 1.5 points per game, and defensively, they conceded 28 total goals with an average of 1.6 total goals conceded. This game will be challenging because of the solid defense. Real Sociedad will meet Celta de Vigo, who is struggling with their defense. Based on their recent performance records, Celta Vigo could prioritize their offensive strategy, whereas Real Sociedad may aim to take advantage of Celta’s defensive weaknesses. Considering Real Sociedad’s strong defense, they will have a higher chance to win this game.
Osasuna vs. Athletic Club
On December 21, 2024, Osasuna will welcome Athletic Club for matchday 18 at Estadio El Sadar (Pamplona) in the 2024-25 La Liga game.
Championship Won
- CA Osasuna: 0 La Liga title
- Athletic Club: 8 La Liga titles
Despite their early lead, which Unai Gomez helped them establish in the 10th minute, Athletic Club’s second-half defensive mistake ended their last game, a draw with Alaves in round 17. They had 48% ball possession, nine goal attempts, two shots on goal, and seven shots off goal. The Athletic Club is in fourth place with nine wins, six draws, and three losses. They have been undefeated in their last five matches, with four wins and one draw. Their strength lies in their defense by conceding fewer goals, providing them with a strong foundation for success. However, they have had occasional lapses in away matches, which they must address. Meanwhile, Osasuna drew their prior match with Espanyol in goalless, marking their second straight draw of the La Liga season.
On the matchday, they had 59% ball possession with six goal attempts, zero shots on goal, and five shots of goal. With six wins, seven draws, and four losses, Osasuna is standing in the eighth place, and their last five matches ended up in four draws and one defeat. The major drawback of Osasuna’s performance is their inconsistent gameplay, so despite their strong start, their inconsistent performance made them suffer a defeat. At the same time, they struggled a lot in their away games. Both team’s previous meeting was at Club Friendly, where Athletic Club took the advantage and defeated Osasuna with a score of 2-1. Concerning their overall records and performances, the Athletic Club will have an edge in winning this game over CA Osasuna.
Barcelona vs. Atlético Madrid
The big 2024-25 La Liga matchday 18 match is set to take between Barcelona and Atlético Madrid on December 21, 2024, at Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys (Barcelona).
Championship Won
- Barcelona: 27 La Liga titles
- Atlético de Madrid: 11 La Liga titles
Barcelona and Atletico Marid are on 38 points in the league table, making this upcoming match more vital for grabbing the top spot, which will be a more significant advantage for either team for the title race. Even though Barcelona kick-started the season with a strong performance and maintained an undefeated record, the past five rounds’ performance was miserable, with only one win, two draws, and two losses. During their previous encounter, they suffered a defeat with Leganes without scoring a single shot in the game; this showed their inconsistent performance. As the top-position battle becomes more intense, they need to be more precise in their gameplay because if it continues, it will barely affect their path to the championship. Barcelona’s offense was exceptional this season, with 50 goals scored and an average of 2.8 points per game.
In addition, their defense is also quite impressive, with 20 total goals conceded and an average of 1.1 goals conceded per game. On the other hand, Atlético Madrid is standing behind Barcelona with the same 38 points of 11 wins, five draws, and one defeat, and their last five matches are undefeated, which shows their consistency and strategic gameplay. Their prior match with Getafe allowed them to extend their winning streak with a score of 1-0. The first half of the game was entirely down, which made the second half a must, scoring one to grab the victory, and with the help of Alexander Sorloth, Atletico Madrid won the game and then pushed them up in the table and now competing with Barcelona for the first place. Even though the past week has been disappointing, Barcelona will not consider this matchup as granted. They will use their strong attack with balanced defense to keep their momentum and win this game.
Valencia vs. Deportivo Alavés
In the forthcoming 2024-25 La Liga showdown, Valencia will take on Deportivo Alaves on December 22, 2024, at Estadio de Mestalla (Valencia).
Championship Won
- Valencia: 6 La Liga titles
- Deportivo Alavés: 0 La Liga title
Valencia faces relegation at the La Liga table bottom, lagging five points behind the safety line. Their head coach, Rubén Baraja, insists on holding to their playing style despite recent poor form, including a 1-1 draw with Espanyol. Fans are worried that the team has not yet won in their last four games in the league (three defeats and one draw). There is hope, however; they have gained most of their points at home, specifically at Mestalla stadium.
On the other hand, Alavés is also close to relegation, having won just one of their last 11 league matches. Their previous game was a 1-1 against Athletic Club. Alavés has been engaged in relegation battles season after season, finishing lower on the table for quite some time now. Their new manager, Eduardo Coudet, wants them to survive at least this season. To avoid relegation, this game is quite crucial for both teams. Comparatively, Deportivo Alaves has the upper hand here to win this game.
Real Madrid vs. Sevilla
Fans will witness the battle between Real Madrid and Sevilla on December 22, 2024, at Estadio Santiago Bernabéu (Madrid) in round 18 of the La Liga fixture.
Championship Won
- Real Madrid: 35 La Liga titles
- Sevilla FC: 1 La Liga title
In the previous game, Real Madrid missed an opportunity to move to the top of the league after they could only draw 3-3 with Rayo Vallecano, but have one more game in 2024 to catch up with Barcelona and Atletico Madrid. They are extreme at home, having lost only to Barcelona since April 2023. Since then, they have won 27 and drawn 4 of their home games, with many wins by significant margins. They are coming back home after winning the FIFA Intercontinental Cup in Qatar. Sevilla has been inconsistent recently, winning three, drawing one, and losing two of their last six matches. Their manager, García Pimienta, came from Barcelona and is set to conquer the challenge of the double for the first time this season after back-to-back league wins.
García Pimienta is now losing his record by losing both games since joining as a manager of the Madrid side. Sevilla hasn’t won more than one game on an away ground under the managerial supervision of their current coach and let a 3-1 lead slip away versus Atlético Madrid recently. They haven’t won at Real Madrid since 2008. Real Madrid’s Rodrygo scored after not doing so since match day seven and was productive when he faced Sevilla. Sevilla’s Dodi Lukébakio has tended to score the team’s first goal, and in this game, he was of vital importance to Sevilla against one of their Madrid rivals. Based on the entire record and recent form, Real Madrid is heavily favored to take this match against Sevilla.
Las Palmas vs. Espanyol de Barcelona
At Estadio de Gran Canaria (Las Palmas), Las Palmas will lock horns with Espanyol on December 22, 2024, in the highly anticipated 2024-25 La Liga showdown.
Championship Won
- Las Palmas: 0 La Liga title
- Espanyol de Barcelona: 0 La Liga title
Most lately, Las Palmas is playing a good game, not losing in their last four matches, including a miraculous 2-1 shock over Barcelona. This sound wave of form has helped promote it to the 14th spot in La Liga, but at least some pressure due to the lousy run previously during the season. But Espanyol holds the 18th position. There has been no win for them thus far this month. They have failed to score, and their defense has been abysmal, conceding many goals.
They also have the worst away record in the league, with only one point from eight away games. They have lost their last six away matches in the top division. Game statistics: Las Palmas scored 22 goals in 17 games, ranking 8th in La Liga. Espanyol conceded 29 in 1,7, which ranks them in 19th place. Espanyol scored 0.9 goals per game, ranking 15th in the La Liga. UD Las Palmas gave up 1.6 per game. Based on recent form and statistics, Las Palmas has a better chance of winning this match.
Leganes vs. Villarreal
On December 22, 2024, Leganes will take Villarreal in the 2024-25 La Liga matchday 18 at Estadio Municipal de Butarque (Leganes).
Championship Won
- CD Leganés: 0 La Liga title
- Villarreal: 0 La Liga title
Leganés just won a sensational 1-0 match against Barcelona. They hope to build on this success with another win, their first consecutive La Liga victory since their promotion. Though they have had problems scoring at home, even more so against Villarreal, their current situation is three points above the relegation zone. It will be a welcome relief as the season nears its midpoint. However, dropping points from winning positions has been a problem for them this season.
On the other hand, Villarreal has been struggling in the last six games, where they were winless in the competition. Their previous match with Rayo Vallecano demonstrated their resilience, where they managed to level up 1-1 when down a man. In any case, Villarreal is a team with an impressive record against Leganés; they won five out of their last eight matches against the team. Key players to watch include Sergio González for Leganés, who has a knack for scoring crucial goals, and Ayoze Pérez for Villarreal, who has ended a scoring drought and often finds the net early in games. As a result, Villarreal will have an edge in winning this game.
Real Betis vs. Rayo Vallecano
Matchday 18 will conclude with the game between Real Betis and Rayo Vallecano, scheduled for December 23, 2024, at Estadio Benito Villamarín (Sevilla).
Championship Won
- Real Betis Balompié: 1 La Liga title
- Rayo Vallecano: 0 La Liga title
Real Betis is currently sitting 9th in the La Liga table, and they have six wins, six draws, and five losses. They are now three points away from qualifying for the Europa Conference League. The team failed in the league; after six matches, it could only win one of those, but they were excellent in the Copa del Rey and Europe, winning the last three games. They recently won 1-0 against HJK in the UEFA Conference League, making it part of a five-match streak without losing.
Rayo Vallecano sits in 12th place with five wins, six draws, and six losses. They arrive at this match with varying results and try to find consistency in their gameplay. However, Rayo has been in decent form lately, going unbeaten in their last four games and moving six points clear of the relegation zone. Their latest results include a 1-1 draw with Villarreal and an exciting 3-3 draw with Real Madrid. Regarding the historical performances, Real Betis will have the upper hand to win this game.