After a long and hectic week, the one thing that football fans eagerly look forward to is the 2024-25 La Liga weekend. The excitement, passion, and thrill of watching their favorite teams compete, feeling every goal and every save, make all the hustle and bustle worthwhile. The battle for the top spot continues this week, with Barcelona and Real Madrid tied at 54 points. Atlético Madrid is close behind, sitting with 53 points. On the other hand, there is no significant change in the relegation zone. Still, this upcoming match will be a do-or-die one for Valencia to safeguard themselves from the relegation battle and for Las Palmas to avoid the relegation zone. In recent weeks, Espanyol’s performance has improved; however, they have been placed in the relegation zone due to previous inadequate performance. Now, they have climbed to 15th place in the standings. So, without a doubt, this week in the 2024-25 La Liga on matchday 26 is going to be fierce, and we can expect plenty of twists and unexpected moments from the teams.
Before heading into the upcoming matchday, here’s a quick recap of matchday 25 in the 2024-25 La Liga encounter. Looking at the prior week’s performance, what can we say? Was it a defensive week? If you look over the results of matchday 25, it is clear that the team’s defense played a crucial role in their victory. In the opening game, Celta Vigo showed an impressive performance by defeating Osasuna with a score of 1-0. Thanks to Iago Aspas. Where the 86th-minute goal from Fernando Calero saved Espayol from defeat against Alaves. This round 25 was quite disappointing for Rayo Vallecano, who suffered their second straight defeat against Villarreal with a score of 0-1. Following their two consecutive draw matches, Atletico Madrid returned to its victorious path by defeating Valencia in round 25 with a scoreline of 3-0.
On the other hand, La Palmas suffered their fourth consecutive defeat against the top-ranked Barcelona. Despite the first half of the match ending in a 0-0 tie, Barcelona found their rhythm in the second half and scored two goals, thanks to Dani Olmo and Ferran Torres. A high-scoring battle occurred between Athletic Club and Valladolid, where Athletic Club triumphed with a dominating score of 7-1. Athletic Club’s offense and defense in the first half were well-balanced, and they outscored their opponent 4-0. This success was led by Mikel Jauregizar, Nico Williams, Maroan Sannadi, and Oihan Sancet. In the second half, their dominance continued, with Nico Williams, Gorka Guruzeta, and Inaki Williams each scoring a goal to lead the team to victory.
Real Madrid caused Girona to defeat for the fourth time in their head-to-head history without recording a single shot. On the day of the match, Luka Modric and Vinicius Junior scored a goal for Real Madrid, helping them continue their momentum. History repeats itself, as Real Betis defeated Getafe for the second consecutive time with a score of 2-1. Following their 0-3 loss to Real Betis in round 25, Real Sociedad delivered a phenomenal bounce-back performance by beating Leganes with a convincing score of 3-0. Matchday 25 concluded with an equalizer between Sevilla and Mallorca, ending in a score of 1-1. Overall, matchday 25 was a great treat for all football enthusiasts, leaving them with even higher expectations from the teams in the upcoming matchdays, as we are just a few steps away from the final destination.
Valladolid vs. Las Palmas
The upcoming matchday 26 in the 2024-25 La Liga showdown will be crucial for Valladolid and Las Palmas to break their long losing streak and avoid a relegation battle. This event is scheduled for February 28, 2025, at Estadio José Zorrilla (Valladolid).
Penalties Conceded
- Valladolid: 2 penalty goals conceded
- Las Palmas: 4 penalty goals conceded
The 2024-25 La Liga season has been a complete disaster for Real Valladolid, who find themselves at the bottom of the table with a record of four wins, three draws, and 18 losses. With only 15 points to their name, they need nine more points to avoid the relegation battle. This means that every game will be vital, and they must demonstrate their full strength, relying heavily on an effective attack and solid defense to secure wins. In their last ten matches, they managed to win only two, against Valencia and Real Betis, both with a score of 1-0. However, they are on a six-game losing streak after losing to Espanyol, Real Madrid, Villarreal, Rayo Vallecano, Sevilla, and their most recent defeat to Athletic Club with a score of 1-7.
On the other hand, Las Palmas is in jeopardy as they are tied with Valencia in the relegation zone with 23 points, making this game crucial to avoid relegation. They need to raise their level of play; otherwise, they will find themselves in the danger zone. Over their last ten matches, they won one against Espanyol and drew two with Real Sociedad and Osasuna. They are also on a four-game losing streak by losing their matches with Girona, Villarreal, Mallorca, and Barcelona. Based on the recent performance, Las Palmas has a slight edge to win this game.
Girona vs. Celta Vigo
Celta Vigo is making a road trip to compete against Girona in the forthcoming round 26 of the 2024-25 La Liga fixture on March 1, 2025, at Estadio Municipal de Montilivi (Girona). Will this match mark a significant turnaround for Girona against Celta Vigo?
Penalties Conceded
- Girona: 1 penalty goal conceded
- Celta Vigo: 1 penalty goal conceded
This season has been quite impressive for both teams. Girona is currently positioned 13th in the league table with nine wins, four draws, and 12 losses. Additionally, they head into this game on a three-game losing streak. In contrast, Celta Vigo is in 10th place, boasting a record of nine wins, five draws, and 11 losses. Girona is just one point behind Celta Vigo, so a victory in this game could enhance their position in the table. In other tournaments, Girona participated in the UEFA Champions League, but unfortunately, their performance fell short, achieving only one win and seven losses in the league phase.
Which placed them in the 33rd position, preventing them from qualifying for the next rounds. Meanwhile, Celta Vigo competed in the Copa del Rey, where they performed excellently. They reached Round 16 and faced Real Madrid. Unfortunately, the match didn’t go as planned, and they lost 2-5, ending their dream of reaching the finals. Both teams have experienced many ups and downs this La Liga season, but they never let it get them down; instead, they bounced back and maintained their position in decent form. Considering their recent form, Celta Vigo is the favorite to win this game.
Rayo Vallecano vs. Sevilla
After disappointing the previous two matches, Rayo Vallecano enters this match with high hopes of winning and continuing their momentum. They will face Sevilla on March 1, 2025, at Campo de Futbol de Vallecas (Madrid) during matchday 26 of La Liga action.
Penalties Conceded
- Rayo Vallecano: 2 penalty goals conceded
- Sevilla: 4 penalty goals conceded
Rayo Vallecano heads into this match after losing 0-1 to Villarreal. In the first half, both teams worked hard to score the opening goal, but neither could convert their chances into points. However, in the 42nd minute, Jorge de Frutos received a red card for unsportsmanlike conduct. Moving to the second half, they made several substitutions to enhance their performance, but unfortunately, nothing changed, and they left the field without scoring a single point, marking their second straight defeat in the La Liga campaign.
Meanwhile, Sevilla drew their match against Mallorca with a score of 1-1. In the first half, Kike Salas scored the opening goal, giving Sevilla an early lead, but the opponent’s last-minute goal changed everything, resulting in a draw. They might win this match if their defense is strong in the game’s final minutes. In their last five head-to-heads, Sevilla won two, Rayo Vallecano won one, and two games ended in a draw. Compared to Sevilla, Rayo Vallecano’s recent performance was strong, and the recent defeat may motivate them to bounce back and win this game.
Real Betis vs. Real Madrid
The clash between Real Betis and Real Madrid will occur on March 1, 2025, at Estadio Benito Villamarín (Sevilla). This game will decide their position in the league table. Real Madrid aims to regain its top spot, and Real Betis seeks Europa Conference League qualification.
Penalties Conceded
- Real Betis: 4 penalty goals conceded
- Real Madrid: 2 penalty goals conceded
Real Madrid’s performance in the 2024-25 season has been exceptional. They embody the notion that consistency is vital and are confident in their ability to achieve success. During their 2024-25 UEFA Champions League campaign, they faced challenges early in the league phase. However, they gradually improved, climbing from 25th to finish the league phase in 11th place with five wins and three losses. In the knockout playoffs, they confronted Manchester City and secured victory with an aggregate score of 6-3. In Round 16, they will face Atletico Madrid. They will also compete against Real Sociedad in the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey. Returning to their La Liga campaign, they won 16 matches, drew six, and lost three. They are tied with Barcelona for the top position, each with 54 points.
Offensively, Real Madrid ranks second, having scored 54 goals with an average of 2.2 points per game, while defensively, they conceded 23 goals, averaging 0.9 points per game. Meanwhile, Real Betis is showing promising performances this season. In their Conference League campaign, they currently sit in 15th place with three wins, one draw, and two losses. In the Copa del Rey, they qualified for the Round of 16 but unfortunately lost to Barcelona with a score of 1-5. They are in seventh place in the La Liga table with nine wins, eight draws, and eight losses. They have an offensive average of 1.3 points per game, with a total of 32 goals scored, and defensively, they have conceded 32 goals, averaging 1.3 points per game. Given their recent form, Real Madrid has a higher chance of winning this game.
Atlético de Madrid vs. Athletic Club
For matchday 26, Atletico de Madrid will host Athletic Club on March 1, 2025, at Metropolitano Stadium in Madrid. Both teams are closely matched, with Atletico Madrid at 53 points and Athletic Club at 48 points.
Penalties Conceded
- Atletico de Madrid: 3 penalty goals conceded
- Athletic Club: 2 penalty goals conceded
Atletico de Madrid heads into this match following a 4-4 draw with Barcelona in the first leg of the Copa del Rey semifinals. Once the game started in the 1st minute, Julian Alvarez scored an early goal for Atletico Madrid, and in the 6th minute, Antoine Griezmann netted the second goal for the team. However, despite the slow start, Barcelona found their rhythm and outscored Atletico Madrid 3-2 by the end of the first half. In the second half, Atletico Madrid made several substitutions, and in the 84th minute, Marcos Llorente scored the third goal; however, Barcelona still maintained the lead at 4-3. However, in the last minute, a goal from Alexander Sorloth saved Atletico Madrid from defeat.
They were undefeated in their previous five matches in La Liga, with two wins and three draws. Meanwhile, this season, the performance of Athletic Club was impressive, and their consistent gameplay was phenomenal. They conclude the Europa League phase with a record of six wins, one draw, and one loss. With this impressive record, they placed in the second position and are now ready to face off Roma in the Round of 16. Likewise, they are undefeated in their last five matches, with two wins and three draws. Concerning Atletico de Madrid’s solid defense, they will have an edge to win this game.
Leganes vs. Getafe
Leganés will host Getafe on March 2, 2025, at Estadio Municipal de Butarque in Leganés for the 26th match of the 2024-25 La Liga season. This game is crucial, as both teams are coming off disappointing losses on matchday 25.
Penalties Conceded
- Leganes: 5 penalty goals conceded
- Getafe: 4 penalty goals conceded
The last head-to-head meeting between Leganés and Getafe occurred in September 2024, ending in a 1-1 draw. On that day, Leganés had 41% ball possession, with six goal attempts and three shots on target, while Getafe had 59% ball possession, with 12 goal attempts and three shots on target. Regarding their standings, Getafe is in 14th place with seven wins, nine draws, nine losses, and 30 points.
Meanwhile, Leganés is in 16th place, just two steps above the relegation zone, with a record of five wins, nine draws, 11 losses, and 24 points. This game is crucial for Leganés to avoid relegation and for Getafe to enhance their standing and finish the season positively. Therefore, based on their records and recent form, Getafe has a higher chance of winning this game.
Barcelona vs. Real Sociedad
The 2024-25 La Liga season enters its crucial phase as Barcelona and Real Sociedad prepare for their matchday 26 clash on March 2, 2025, at Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys in Barcelona. Both teams have experienced very different journeys this season, but with so much still at stake, this match could shape their overall success.
Penalties Conceded
- Barcelona: 3 penalty goals conceded
- Real Sociedad: 5 penalty goals conceded
Barcelona has been a dominant force in this La Liga season. A few weeks ago, they were in third place on the league table, but following the results of round 24, they now sit at the top, tied with defending champion Real Madrid at 54 points. Most expected that this tie would break and the top position would be determined in round 25; however, both teams won their respective matches the previous week, again ending up tied. The title clash between Barcelona and Real Madrid has generally been routine in La Liga history. Barcelona won once in the last three seasons, while Real Madrid finished as runner-up twice, and Barcelona ended up as runner-up once.
In their UEFA Champions League campaign, they are set to face off against Benfica in the Round of 16, and in the Copa del Rey, they will encounter Atletico de Madrid in the semifinals. Real Sociedad is having quite an impressive performance this season, but they dropped down in the league table due to some inconsistent play a few weeks back. However, they are now slowly pushing themselves back onto the path to victory. With their strong performance in the Europa League, they defeated Midtjylland with an aggregate score of 7-3, and now they will face Manchester United in the Round of 16. Comparing both teams’ performances, Barcelona’s exceptional offense suggests they will win this game, but Real Sociedad’s defense shouldn’t be taken for granted.
Mallorca vs. Alaves
Mallorca will play Alaves at Estadi Mallorca Son Moix (Palma de Mallorca) on March 2, 2025, in the 2024-25 La Liga season. This match is crucial for Alaves, who are trying to climb out of the relegation zone.
Penalties Conceded
- Mallorca: 3 penalty goals conceded
- Alaves: 10 penalty goals conceded
Mallorca is in the middle of the table and seeks to leverage its home field to earn three points and enhance its ranking. Conversely, Alavés is in the relegation zone, making this match vital for its quest to stay up. Mallorca’s recent performances showcase its resilience. The team remains unbeaten in its last three league games, including an impressive 1-1 draw against Sevilla at the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán Stadium.
Meanwhile, Alavés, managed by Eduardo Coudet, are eager to turn their luck around following a narrow 1-0 loss at home to Espanyol. Their away record is worrisome, with just two victories from thirteen matches this season. Historically, Mallorca has excelled in this matchup at home, recording nine wins and four draws in their last thirteen meetings against Alavés at the Estadi Mallorca Son Moix. As a result, Mallorca has the upper hand to win this game.
Osasuna vs. Valencia
On March 2, 2025, Osasuna will face Valencia at Estadio El Sadar (Pamplona) in the upcoming La Liga showdown on matchday 26. Both teams are eager to secure a positive result to improve their standings and reach their season objectives.
Penalties Conceded
- Osasuna: 3 penalty goals conceded
- Valencia: 3 penalty goals conceded
Osasuna is 12th in La Liga, scoring 32 points in 25 matches. However, their recent performance has been erratic, with one win, two draws, and two losses in their last five league contests. Their home record stands out, with six wins and five draws, and they have lost only two games at El Sadar this season. On the other hand, Valencia is in a troubling 18th place, trapped in the relegation zone, with 23 points from 25 matches.
Their results have been particularly worrisome. They are still searching for their first road win this season, having accumulated five draws and seven losses. Valencia’s last five league matches show two wins, one draw, and two losses, reflecting minor improvement yet acknowledging ongoing struggles, particularly in away games. Given both teams’ recent performances, Osasuna will have an edge in winning this game.
Villarreal vs. Espanyol
Matchday 26 will conclude with the clash between Villarreal and Espanyol on March 3, 2025, at Estadio de la Ceramica (Villarreal) in the La Liga meeting. This match is crucial for Villarreal to maintain their momentum and for Espanyol to raise their standings.
Penalties Conceded
- Villarreal: 4 penalty goals conceded
- Espanyol: 2 penalty goals conceded
Villarreal is fifth in La Liga with 44 points from 25 matches, firmly placing them in contention for European competition next season. They have shown impressive form, remaining unbeaten in their last six league games, including noteworthy wins against Real Valladolid (5-1) and Rayo Vallecano (1-0). In contrast, Espanyol stands in 15th place with 27 points, just above the relegation zone.
Although their season has been inconsistent, recent performances hint at a possible recovery. The team has achieved two wins and three draws in its last six matches, highlighted by a significant 1-0 away win against Deportivo Alavés, its first season. Historically, Villarreal has had the upper hand in this matchup. In its last five La Liga encounters, Villarreal has won four times, while Espanyol has triumphed once. As a result, Villarreal is likely to win this match.
