La Liga 2026-27 Matchday 3: Stats & Analysis with Picks
La Liga 2026-27: Introduction
La Liga matchday 3 will entertain us with thrilling games. The teams are now facing difficult challenges in this matchday. Real Madrid and Barcelona are the favorites in their home matches. Sevilla will play against Atlético Madrid, who are one of the dominant teams. Villarreal hopes to win the game away from home against Alavés.
La Liga: Matchday 3 Schedules
Racing Santander vs Elche
Date: 28 August 2026 (Friday)
Time: 01:00 PM ET | 10:00 AM PT | 10:30 PM IST
Venue: Estadio El Sardinero, Santander
Alavés vs Villarreal
Date: 28 August 2026 (Friday)
Time: 03:30 PM ET | 12:30 PM PT | 01:00 AM IST (Next day)
Venue: Mendizorrotza Stadium, Victoria-Gasteiz
Levante vs Betis
Date: 29 August 2026 (Saturday)
Time: 11:00 AM ET | 08:00 AM PT | 08:30 PM IST
Venue: Estadio Ciudad de Valencia, Levante UD
Real Sociedad vs Espanyol
Date: 29 August 2026 (Saturday)
Time: 01:00 PM ET | 10:00 AM PT | 10:30 PM IST
Venue: Anoeta Stadium, San Sebastián
Sevilla vs Atlético Madrid
Date: 29 August 2026 (Friday)
Time: 03:30 PM ET | 12:30 PM PT | 01:00 AM IST (Next day)
Venue: Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán, Sevilla
Real Madrid vs Málaga
Date: 30 August 2026 (Sunday)
Time: 11:00 AM ET | 08:00 AM PT | 08:30 PM IST
Venue: Santiago Bernabéu, Madrid
Deportivo vs Valencia
Date: 30 August 2026 (Sunday)
Time: 01:30 PM ET | 10:30 AM PT | 11:00 PM IST
Venue: Riazor Stadium
Celta vs Athletic
Date: 30 August 2026 (Sunday)
Time: 03:30 PM ET | 12:30 PM PT | 01:00 AM IST (Next day)
Venue: Estadio de Balaídos, Vigo
Osasuna vs Getafe
Date: 31 August 2026 (Monday)
Time: 01:30 PM ET | 10:30 AM PT | 11:00 PM IST
Venue: El Sadar Stadium, Navarre
Barcelona vs Rayo Vallecano
Date: 31 August 2026 (Monday)
Time: 03:30 PM ET | 12:30 PM PT | 01:00 AM IST (Next day)
Venue: Spotify Camp Nou, Barcelona
Match Previews
Alavés vs Villarreal
Date: 28 August 2026 (Friday)
Time: 03:30 PM ET | 12:30 PM PT | 01:00 AM IST (Next day)
Venue: Mendizorrotza Stadium, Victoria-Gasteiz
La Liga Current Squad
Alavés
Position
Player Names
Goalkeepers
Sivera, A. Rodriguez, Owono, Swiderski
Defenses
Valentini, Youssef, F. Garcés, Ángel P., Novoa, N. Tenaglia, Koski, J. Otto, Mikel R., Xanet Olaiz
Midfields
Denis Suárez, Guevara, Blanco, C. Aleñá, Ibáñez, A. Rebbach, C. Protesoni, Varona, Izei
Forwards
Mariano, T. Martínez, Lucas Boyé, Mañas, Miguel
Coach: Sánchez Flores
Villarreal
Position
Player Names
Goalkeepers
Júnior R., Ruben Gomez, Gulácsi
Defenders
Costa, Freeman, Kambwala, Pau Navarro, Foyth, Renato Veiga, Mouriño, C. Romero, S. Cardona
Midfielders
A. Diatta, A. Moleiro, Santi C.V., Buchanan, Gueye, Pepe, Macia, Nizar, Cheikh
Forwards
Gerard, Mikautadze, I. Akhomach, Oluwaseyi, Ayoze
Coach: Iñigo Pérez
Injury List
Unavailable players for Deportivo Alavés: Facundo Garcés (suspension).
Team Stats and Analysis
Metric
Deportivo Alavés
Villarreal CF
La Liga Standing
3rd Place (4 pts)
9th Place (2 pts)
Recent Result
1-1 vs Rayo Vallecano
2-2 vs Atlético Madrid
Win Probability
31.1%
41.6%
H2H Record (34 games)– (4 Draws)
16 Wins
14 Wins
Home/Away Form
Unbeaten at Mendizorrotza
Winless away at Alavés since 2020
Analysis
Team
Game week 1
Game week 2
Total Goals For
Total Goals Against
Deportivo Alavés
3–0 vs Getafe (W)
1–1 vs Rayo Vallecano (D)
4
1
Villarreal CF
2–2 vs Racing Santander (D)
2–2 vs Atlético Madrid (D)
4
4
La Liga matchday 3 brought us an entertaining match. Villarreal is set to face Alavés in their upcoming match. Villarreal is the direct favorite to win this match with a 41.6%-win probability. Even though Alavés is sitting at the top of the La Liga table. Villarreal’s squad depth, incredible talent, and long-term ratings give them an advantage. Villarreal already showed their strength against Atlético Madrid in the previous match with a draw. The forwards are scoring goals in every match and creating confidence ahead of the next clash. Villarreal’s defensive weakness will give Alavés scoring opportunities at home. Alavés has strong support at home and a defensive lag. Villarreal’s greater individual quality and attacking threat make them the more likely winner.
The Pick: Villarreal
Sevilla vs Atlético Madrid
Date: 29 August 2026 (Friday)
Time: 03:30 PM ET | 12:30 PM PT | 01:00 AM IST (Next day)
Venue: Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán, Sevilla
La Liga Current Squad
Sevilla
Position
Players
Goalkeepers
Odysseas Vlachodimos, Fran González, Rafael Romero
Defenders
Juan Iglesias, Julio Díaz, Kike Salas, Andrés Castrín, Arouna Sangante, Gabriel Suazo, Oso, José Ángel Carmona, Marcão, Manuel Ángel, Iker Muñoz, Cardoso
Midfielders
Giorgi Kochorashvili, Lucien Agoumé, Jon Guridi, Nico Guillén, Manu Bueno, Edu Altozano
Forwards
Alfon González, Robbie Ure, Peque Fernández, Isaac Romero, Chidera Ejuke, Ibra, Miguel Sierra, Rubén Vargas
Coach: Luis Garcia
Atlético Madrid
Position
Players
Goalkeepers
Juan Musso, Jan Oblak
Defenders
José María Giménez, Dávid Hancko, Marc Pubill, Cristian Romero, Alejandro Grimaldo, Robin Le Normand, Domínguez, D. Martínez
Midfielders
Obed Vargas, Rodrigo Mendoza, Johnny Cardoso, Koke, Lee Kang-in, Pablo Barrios, Álex Baena, Marcos Llorente, Thomas Lemar, Arnau Ortiz, Castillo, Morten Hjulmand, Carlos Martín
Forwards
Alexander Sørloth, Ademola Lookman, Giuliano Simeone, Julián Álvarez, Cubo
Coach: Simeone
Injury List
Unavailable players for Sevilla: Alfon González (injury).
Unavailable players for Atlético Madrid: Julián Álvarez (injury), Robin Le Normand (suspension), Alexander Sørloth (injury).
Team Stats and Analysis
Metric
Sevilla FC
Atlético Madrid
La Liga Standing
2nd Place (6 pts)
3rd Place (4 pts)
Recent Result
3–1 Win vs. Athletic Club
2–0 Win vs. Málaga CF
Win Probability
27.0%
44.8%
H2H Record (55 games) – (17 Draws)
15 Wins
23 Wins
Home/Away Form
Perfect at Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán
Vulnerable away (2–2 at Villarreal)
Analysis
Team
Gameweek 1
Gameweek 2
Total Goals For
Total Goals Against
Sevilla FC (2nd Place)
2–1 vs Rayo Vallecano (W)
3–1 vs Athletic Club (W)
5
2
Atlético Madrid (5th Place)
2–0 vs Málaga CF (W)
2–2 vs Villarreal CF (D)
4
2
Atlético Madrid came into this match as a strong favorite because of their strong squad. Diego Simeone’s side arrives with solid momentum but showed noticeable defensive vulnerabilities in a 2-2 draw against Villarreal. Their attacking depth has been hurt by injuries ahead of the match, including key attacking players. Sevilla has scored 5 goals in two matches, and now they are in excellent form. Similarly, Atlético has greater individual performance and experience in tough matches. Their recent 2-2 draw against Villarreal also showed their attacking capability. Sevilla’s home advantage will make this match competitive, but Atlético remains the favorite.
The Pick: Atlético Madrid
Real Madrid vs Málaga
Date: 30 August 2026 (Sunday)
Time: 11:00 AM ET | 08:00 AM PT | 08:30 PM IST
Venue: Santiago Bernabéu, Madrid
La Liga Current Squad
Real Madrid
Position
Players
Goalkeepers
Thibaut Courtois, Andriy Lunin, Mestre
Defenders
Raúl Asencio, Éder Militão, Dean Huijsen, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ibrahima Konaté, Marc Cucurella, Álvaro Carreras, Antonio Rüdiger, Ferland Mendy, Denzel Dumfries, Mario Rivas
Unavailable players for Málaga: Diego Murillo (injury), Fernando Calero (injury), Aarón Ochoa (injury), Adrián Nino (injury).
Team Stats and Analysis
Metric
Real Madrid
Málaga CF
La Liga Standing
1st Place (6 pts)
16th Place (1 pt)
Gameweek 1 Result
2–1 Win away vs. Espanyol
2–0 Loss away vs. Atlético Madrid
Gameweek 2 Result
4–1 Win home vs. Real Sociedad
1–1 Draw home vs. Deportivo La Coruña
Goals Scored / Conceded
6 Scored / 2 Conceded
1 Scored / 3 Conceded
Mathematical Win %
85.4%
4.9%
Historical H2H Record (29) – (5 Draws)
23 Wins
1 Win (4 Draws)
Analysis
Real Madrid will be huge favorites in this match, with an 85.4% chance of victory. Real Madrid’s perfect beginning of the season, strong quality of the team, and its offensive line are significant assets. The star of this offensive line is Kylian Mbappé, who has teammates Jude Bellingham and Vinícius Júnior behind him. Real Madrid has a strong historical record in head-to-head matches with Málaga. Also, Málaga will find it difficult to adjust to first-league football and play away from home. The defensive issues of Málaga can become another problem for them. Málaga may try to stop Madrid, but their quality and home advantage should make this tougher.
The Pick: Real Madrid
Barcelona vs Rayo Vallecano
Date: 31 August 2026 (Monday)
Time: 03:30 PM ET | 12:30 PM PT | 01:00 AM IST (Next day)
Venue: Spotify Camp Nou, Barcelona
La Liga Current Squad
Barcelona
Position
Players
Goalkeepers
Joan García, Wojciech Szczęsny, Eder Aller
Defenders
Alejandro Balde, Pau Cubarsí, Andreas Christensen, Gerard Martín, Jules Koundé, Eric García, João Cancelo, Héctor Fort, Jordi Pesquer, Cortes
Midfielders
Gavi, Pedri, Fermín López, Marc Casadó, Dani Olmo, Frenkie de Jong, Marc Bernal, Rodrigo, Roony Bardghji, Brian
Forwards
Lamine Yamal, Raphinha, Anthony Gordon, Karim Adeyemi, Hamza Abdelkarim
Coach: Hansi Flick
Rayo Vallecano
Position
Players
Goalkeepers
Dani Cárdenas, Augusto Batalla
Defenders
Andrei Rațiu, De Las Sias, Luiz Felipe, Iván Balliu, Pelayo Fernández, Florian Lejeune, Lozano, Jozhua V.
Midfielders
Pedro Díaz, Pathé Ciss, Isi Palazón, Unai López, Álvaro García, Óscar Valentín, Kumbulla, M. Román, Fran Pérez, Randy Nteka, Jorge de Frutos
Forwards
Alemão, Sergio Camello, G.Tsitaishvili, Alonso
Coach: Beñat San José
Injury List
Unavailable players for Barcelona: Gavi (injury), Frenkie de Jong (injury), Roony Bardghji (injury).
Unavailable players for Rayo Vallecano: Augusto Batalla (injury), Isi Palazón (injury), Marash Kumbulla (injury), Luiz Felipe (injury).
Team Stats and Analysis
Metric
FC Barcelona
Rayo Vallecano
La Liga Standing
Defending Champions (6th place)
Mid-Table (13th place)
Gameweek 1 Result
—
2–1 Loss vs. Sevilla
Gameweek 2 Result
5-0 win against Elche
1–1 Draw home vs. Alavés
Goals Scored / Conceded
5 Scored / 0 Conceded
2 Scored / 3 Conceded
Win Probability
80.7%
7.1%
Draw Probability
12.2%
12.2%
Historical H2H (23 games) – (3 Draws)
17 Wins
3 Wins
Analysis
FC Barcelona comes into the game as the favorite to win, with an 80.7% chance of winning the match. This is thanks to their team depth, attacking capabilities, and strength in home matches. With players like Lamine Yamal, Raphinha, and Adeyemi in Barcelona’s attack, the team will put constant pressure on their opponents. The presence of Rodri in the middle of the pitch adds more control and power to their midfield. Rayo Vallecano have faced difficult times playing against Barcelona, especially in away matches. Barcelona had a dominant record in H2H matches, winning 17 of 23. Barcelona’s quality in attacking and defending will define this match and be a moment for fans.
The Pick: Barcelona
Conclusion
La Liga matchday 33 will promise to entertain us with many surprise results. Real Madrid and Barcelona will change their stats and position at the top after this match. Atlético Madrid will tend to break Sevilla’s perfect home record. Villarreal seeks a first away victory since 2020. Every point matters early in the La Liga season. Expect fierce competition and entertainment throughout.