Almost three-fourths of the La Liga matchdays are over, and the title race is getting more serious. Simultaneously, the UCL Quarter Finals are underway, making for a thrilling football week. However, the top two positions indicate a close contest between Barcelona and Real Madrid, with a 4-point difference. Above all, the Madrid Derby is the highlight of this La Liga Matchday 29. Nevertheless, the upcoming Matchday 29 will have its own drama. The predictions, odds, and expert picks are out for the upcoming La Liga Matchday 29. Explore our expert predictions before placing your bet. For more La Liga picks, follow Bettingpremier.
The leaders, Barcelona and Real Madrid, once again have asserted their dominance. Barca beat Sevilla with a 3-point difference; Raphinha scored a hat-trick. Sevilla were completely hopeless in the game and fell short by three goals. Barcelona’s 4-3-3 formation allowed them to create chances more often, and they kept their midfield actively aggressive.
Similarly, Real Madrid won against Elche with a dominant 4-1 scoreline. Although Elche was a newly promoted team, they had good playmaking. Their possession was superior to Real Madrid. But still, Real Madrid executed their chances perfectly and scored four goals to Elche’s 1.
Real Betis Saves Its Position
Celta Vigo was three points away from dethroning Real Betis and continues to do so after a draw with them. In the previous game, Celta Vigo scored in the 4th minute due to quick action from Ferran Jutglà. Conversely, Real Betis struggled to score a goal, and they almost thought they had lost the position. But Héctor Bellerín scored in the 49th minute and equalized. Although Real Betis had most of the control on the ground, they somehow struggled to outscore Celta Vigo. Finally, the game was tied.
La Liga Matchday 29 Schedule
Elche vs Mallorca
Time: 09:00 AM ET | 06:00 AM PT | 06:30 PM IST
Date: 21 March 2026
Venue: Estadio Manuel Martínez Valero
Espanyol vs Getafe
Time: 11:15 AM ET | 08:15 AM PT | 08:45 PM IST
Date: 21 March 2026
Venue: RCDE Stadium
Levante vs Real Oviedo
Time: 01:30 PM ET | 10:30 AM PT | 11:00 PM IST
Date: 21 March 2026
Venue: Ciutat de València
Osasuna vs Girona
Time: 01:30 PM ET | 10:30 AM PT | 11:00 PM IST
Date: 21 March 2026
Venue: El Sadar Stadium
Sevilla vs Valencia
Time: 04:00 PM ET | 01:00 PM PT | 01:30 AM IST (Next Day)
Date: 21 March 2026
Venue: Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán
Barcelona vs Rayo Vallecano
Time: 09:00 AM ET | 06:00 AM PT | 06:30 PM IST
Date: 22 March 2026
Venue: Camp Nou Stadium
Celta Vigo vs Alaves
Time: 11:15 AM ET | 08:15 AM PT | 08:45 PM IST
Date: 22 March 2026
Venue: Estadio de Balaídos
Athletic vs Real Betis
Time: 01:30 PM ET | 10:30 AM PT | 11:00 PM IST
Date: 22 March 2026
Venue: San Mames Stadium
Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid
Time: 04:00 PM ET | 01:00 PM PT | 01:30 AM IST (Next Day)
Date: 22 March 2026
Venue: Bernabéu Stadium
La Liga Predictions for a Few Selected Games
Barcelona vs Rayo Vallecano Predictions
Time: 09:00 AM ET | 06:00 AM PT | 06:30 PM IST
Date: 22 March 2026
Expected Lineups for Barcelona (4-2-3-1)
Position
Players
Goalkeeper
Wojciech Szczęsny
Defense
João Cancelo, Pau Cubarsí, Marc Bernal, Gerard Martín
Midfield
Pedri, Dani Olmo
Attacking Midfield
Raphinha, Robert Lewandowski, Bardghji
Attack
Robert Lewandowski
Expected Lineups for Rayo Vallecano (4-3-3)
Position
Players
Goalkeeper
Batalla
Defense
Iván Balliu, Florian Lejeune, Gumbau, Espino
Midfield
Óscar Valentín, Pathé Ciss, Pérez
Attack
Jorge de Frutos, Alemao, Álvaro García
Barcelona vs Rayo Vallecano Preview
Under Hansi Flick, Barcelona looks sharp in the upcoming matchup against Rayo Vallecano. Their sharp strikers, like Lewandowski, make up for an exploding offense. Their defense is also solid, instantly retaliating and conceding rarely. Consequently, Rayo Vallecano will struggle to score against them. This, in turn, will result in Barcelona scoring more than the visitors. On the other hand, Rayo Vallecano is ranked 13th in the La Liga standings. They will often score a single goal or two, but outscoring Barcelona still remains uncertain. So, Barcelona gets the edge to win in this La Liga game.
The Pick: Barcelona.
Celta Vigo vs Alaves Predictions
Time: 11:15 AM ET | 08:15 AM PT | 08:45 PM IST
Date: 22 March 2026
Expected Lineups for Celta Vigo (3-4-3)
Position
Players
Goalkeeper
Andrei Ionuț Radu
Defense
Carl Starfelt, Óscar Mingueza, Hugo Álvarez
Midfield
Marcos Alonso, Fer López, Borja Iglesias, Hugo Sotelo
Attack
Núñez, Pablo Durán, Sergio Carreira
Expected Lineups for Deportivo Alavés (3-5-2)
Position
Players
Goalkeeper
Antonio Sivera
Defense
Tenaglia, Boyé, Ibáñez
Midfield
Nahuel Tenaglia, Antonio Blanco, Toni Martínez, Carles Aleñá, Víctor Parada
Attack
Jonny Otto, Ville Koski
Celta Vigo vs Alaves Preview
Celta Vigo has been strong in their home matches lately, with six wins from nine at Balaídos Stadium. They also have an attacking force that keeps them unbeaten in most of their matches. Particularly, their defense is the highlight, having conceded economically. But Alaves, on the other hand, struggles at the bottom of the standings. Their defense is weak, which might allow goals for Celta Vigo. However, Alaves’s attack might score a couple of goals if they breach Celta Vigo’s strong defense.
Athletic Club has lost its previous season’s form. Currently ranked in the 10th spot, Athletic Club’s form stays average in the league. They have lost more games, causing a significant points deficit in the table. In terms of defense, Athletic Club is somewhat strong and has good quality. It may restrict Real Betis’s form, but Athletic Club’s scoring front looks fragile. Their weak attack, compared to Real Betis’s better defense, won’t score enough to beat Real Betis. So, Real Betis has the winning edge in this La Liga game.
The Pick: Real Betis.
Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid Predictions
Time: 04:00 PM ET | 01:00 PM PT | 01:30 AM IST (Next Day)
Date: 22 March 2026
Expected Lineup for Real Madrid (4-4-2)
Position
Players
Goalkeeper
Thibaut Courtois
Defense
Dani Carvajal, Antonio Rüdiger, Dean Huijsen, Fran García
Nahuel Molina, José María Giménez, Clément Lenglet
Midfield
Marc Pubill, Álex Baena, Nico González, Vargas, Koke
Attacking Midfield
Thiago Almada
Attack
Alexander Sørloth
Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid Preview
Real Madrid is currently in a strong form, having won the UCL Round of 16. Having a strong winning streak, they approach the upcoming Madrid Derby against Atletico Madrid. Real Madrid is having a fine place in the La Liga, with a title-contending form. Similarly, Atletico Madrid is also having a strong position in the league table. Regarding form, both teams have impressive defense and offense. However, Real Madrid has the edge to win this La Liga game, given their stronger squad.
The Pick: Real Madrid.
Conclusion
The current La Liga season is nearing its final matchday. Teams are rushing to add more points, and the Real Madrid vs Barcelona rivalry is so close in the La Liga standings. That being said, the La Liga Matchday 29 comes with complete action and drama. Additionally, the Madrid Derby makes Matchday 29 further gripping. Concisely, La Liga Matchday 29 has no shortage of excitement, with heightened suspense.