La Liga Matchday 8: The Numbers Behind Each Pick

La Liga 2026-27: Matchday 8 Overview

Matchday 8 of La Liga will see ten matches taking place over four days. Crucial matches are scheduled between the top and bottom of the league table. There will be good entertainment, close matches, and pressure on the teams at the top of the table. Barcelona will go into the matches unbeaten, having played their first match against Getafe at home. Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid will also be keenly looking forward to the matches. Real Betis is challenging Osasuna after a good start. This weekend will give plenty of matches, clashes, and table-changing results.

La Liga 2026-27: Event Details

Event	Details
Main Event	La Liga Matchday 8
Dates	09 – 12 October 2026
Venues	Multiple Venues as listed below
Broadcast	ESPN+, Disney+, Fancode

La Liga 2026-27: Matchday 8 Schedule

Match 1: Málaga CF vs RCD Espanyol

Date: 9 October 2026 (Friday)

Time: 3:00 PM ET | 12:00 PM PT | 12:30 AM IST (10 October)

Venue: Estadio La Rosaleda, Málaga, Spain

Match 2: Rayo Vallecano vs Athletic Club

Date: 10 October 2026 (Saturday)

Time: 8:00 AM ET | 5:00 AM PT | 5:30 PM IST

Venue: Vallecas Stadium, Madrid, Spain

Match 3: Deportivo Alavés vs Atlético Madrid

Date: 10 October 2026 (Saturday)

Time: 10:15 AM ET | 7:15 AM PT | 7:45 PM IST

Venue: Mendizorrotza Stadium, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain

Match 4: Barcelona vs Getafe CF

Date: 10 October 2026 (Saturday)

Time: 12:30 PM ET | 9:30 AM PT | 10:00 PM IST

Venue: Spotify Camp Nou, Barcelona, Spain

Match 5: Real Madrid vs Villarreal CF

Date: 10 October 2026 (Saturday)

Time: 3:00 PM ET | 12:00 PM PT | 12:30 AM IST (11 October)

Venue: Bernabéu, Madrid, Spain

Match 6: Elche CF vs Celta

Date: 11 October 2026 (Sunday)

Time: 8:00 AM ET | 5:00 AM PT | 5:30 PM IST

Venue: Estadio Manuel Martínez Valero, Elche, Spain

Match 7: Real Sociedad vs RC Deportivo

Date: 11 October 2026 (Sunday)

Time: 10:15 AM ET | 7:15 AM PT | 7:45 PM IST

Venue: Anoeta Stadium, San Sebastián, Spain

Match 8: Real Betis vs CA Osasuna

Date: 11 October 2026 (Sunday)

Time: 12:30 PM ET | 9:30 AM PT | 10:00 PM IST

Venue: Estadio La Cartuja, Seville, Spain

Match 9: Racing Santander vs Valencia CF

Date: 11 October 2026 (Sunday)

Time: 3:00 PM ET | 12:00 PM PT | 12:30 AM IST (12 October)

Venue: Estadio El Sardinero, Santander, Spain

Match 10: Levante UD vs Sevilla FC

Date: 12 October 2026 (Monday)

Time: 3:00 PM ET | 12:00 PM PT | 12:30 AM IST (13 October)

Venue: Estadio Ciudad de Valencia, Valencia, Spain

La Liga 2026-27: Key Match Previews

Match 1: Deportivo Alavés vs Atlético Madrid

Date: 10 October 2026 (Saturday)

Time: 10:15 AM ET | 7:15 AM PT | 7:45 PM IST

Venue: Mendizorrotza Stadium, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain

La Liga Projected Squad List

Deportivo Alavés

Position	Players
Goalkeepers	Antonio Sivera, A. Rodríguez, Swiderski
Defenders	Valentini, Youssef, Ángel P., N. Tenaglia, Koski, J. Otto, Xanet Olaiz, Mikel R., Novoa, F. Garcés
Midfielders	Denis Suárez, Guevara, Blanco, C. Aleñá, Ibáñez, C. Protesoni, Selu Diallo, Izei, A. Rebbach
Forwards	Mariano, T. Martínez, Lucas Boyé, Mañas, Miguel,
Coach	Quique Sánchez Flores

Atlético Madrid

Position	Players
Goalkeepers	Jan Oblak, Juan Musso, Esquivel
Defenders	David Hancko, Robin Le Normand, Marc Pubill, Cristian Romero, Domínguez, D. Martínez, Grimaldo, Javier Gil
Midfielders	Obed Vargas, Mendoza, Johnny, Koke, Kang In, Pablo Barrios, Álex B., M. Llorente, Morten Hjulmand, Castillo, Arnau Ortiz
Forwards	Ademola Lookman, Jonathan David, Julián Álvarez, Giuliano, Sørloth, Cubo
Coach	Diego Pablo Simeone

Injury List

Unavailable players for Deportivo Alavés: Ville Koski (injury), Facundo Garcés (injury), Mikel Rodríguez (injury).

Unavailable players for Atlético Madrid: Lee Kang-In (injury).

La Liga Team Stats & Performances

Statistics	Deportivo Alavés	Atlético Madrid
Points	11	16
Position	6	2
Played	7	7
Won	3	6
Lost	2	1
Drawn	2	1
Yellow Cards	14	12
Red Cards	0	1
Goals Scored	11	16
Goals Conceded	6	7
Fouls Received	90	80
Fouls Conceded	96	87
Shots	71	84
Passes	2261	3940

Analysis

Atlético Madrid have strong statistics, having earned 16 points from seven games. They have scored 16 goals and conceded seven. Alaves have 11 points, with 11 goals and six conceded. Atlético also have the edge in shots and passing attempts. While Alaves have performed well in defense, they have a more potent attack to play against Atlético. Maybe the home team may keep this match tight. Atlético’s overall performance so far gives them the edge.

The Pick: Atlético Madrid

Match 2: Barcelona vs Getafe CF

Date: 10 October 2026 (Saturday)

Time: 12:30 PM ET | 9:30 AM PT | 10:00 PM IST

Venue: Spotify Camp Nou, Barcelona, Spain

La Liga Projected Squad List

Barcelona

Position	Players
Goalkeepers	Joan García, Wojciech Szczęsny, Dominik Livaković, Eder Aller, Iker Rodríguez
Defenders	João Cancelo, Alejandro Balde, Pau Cubarsí, Cortes, Andreas Christensen, Jules Koundé, Eric García, Gerard Martín, Jordi Pesquer, Xavi Espart
Midfielders	Frenkie de Jong, Pedri, Gavi, Fermín López, Dani Olmo, Roony, Marc Bernal, Rodrigo, Brian
Forwards	Raphinha, Lamine Yamal, Hamza Abdelkarim, Gabriel Jesus, Karim Adeyemi, Anthony Gordon
Coach	Hansi Flick

Getafe CF

Position	Players
Goalkeepers	David Soria, Diego Ferrer, Jiri Letacek
Defenders	Djené, Davinchi, Sazonov, A. Abqar, Boselli, Z.romero, J. Ives Valou, Kiko Femenía
Midfielders	Mario Martín, Gudelj, R. Terrats, Francho, Uche, Andres Garcia, Johan Mojica, Mangala, Risco, Curro, O. Lopez, Moha
Forwards	Borja Mayoral, Satriano, Enes Ünal, Ivan, Juanmi, Ibra Drj, Joselu, M. Achraf
Coach	José Bordalás

Injury List

Unavailable players for Barcelona: Joan García (injury), Andreas Christensen (injury), Frenkie de Jong (injury), Raphinha (injury), Roony Bardghji (injury).

Unavailable players for Getafe: Abdelkabir Abqar (injury), Christantus Uche (injury), Juanmi (injury).

La Liga Team Stats & Performances

Statistics	Barcelona	Getafe CF
Points	21	8
Position	1	11
Played	7	7
Won	7	2
Lost	0	2
Drawn	0	3
Yellow Cards	8	20
Red Cards	0	3
Goals Scored	31	4
Goals Conceded	7	7
Fouls Received	66	93
Fouls Conceded	67	103
Shots	119	66
Passes	4664	2199

Analysis

Barcelona have gotten off to a perfect start as they have won all their seven games and have earned 21 points. They have scored 31 goals while conceding just seven goals. Getafe have scored four goals, and this indicates that they lack attacking prowess this season. Barcelona also dominate in terms of shots and completed passes. Barcelona have several key players injured, but their team is still better than that of Getafe. Getafe’s defensive structure will make this match competitive, but building a wall to stop Barcelona is unimaginable.

The Pick: Barcelona

Match 3: Real Madrid vs Villarreal CF

Date: 10 October 2026 (Saturday)

Time: 3:00 PM ET | 12:00 PM PT | 12:30 AM IST (11 October)

Venue: Bernabéu, Madrid, Spain

La Liga Projected Squad List

Real Madrid

Position	Players
Goalkeepers	Courtois, Lunin, Mestre, Javi Navarro
Defenders	Asencio, E. Militão, Huijsen, Trent, Konaté, Cucurella, Á. Carreras, Rüdiger, F. Mendy, Dumfries, Mario Rivas
Midfielders	Bellingham, Camavinga, Valverde, Tchouameni, Arda Güler, Bernardo, Brahim, Thiago, Cestero, Sergio
Forwards	Vini Jr., Endrick, Mbappé, Rodrygo, C. Espí, Yan Diomande, Alexis Ciria
Coach	José Mourinho

Villarreal CF

Position	Players
Goalkeepers	Júnior R., Ruben Gomez, Gulácsi
Defenders	Costa, Freeman, Pau Navarro, Foyth, Renato Veiga, Mouriño, C. Romero, S. Cardona
Midfielders	A. Diatta, A. Moleiro, Santi C.v., Macia, Buchanan, Gueye, Pepe, Saliba, Nizar, Cheikh
Forwards	Gerard, Mikautadze, I. Akhomach, Oluwaseyi, Ayoze
Coach	Iñigo Perez

Injury List

Unavailable players for Real Madrid: Raúl Asencio (injury), Éder Militao (injury), Rodrygo (injury).

Unavailable players for Villarreal: Tajon Buchanan (injury), Ilias Akhomach (injury).

La Liga Team Stats & Performances

Statistics	Real Madrid	Villarreal CF
Points	16	8
Position	4	9
Played	7	7
Won	5	2
Lost	2	3
Drawn	0	2
Yellow Cards	12	12
Red Cards	1	0
Goals Scored	18	13
Goals Conceded	8	12
Fouls Received	97	88
Fouls Conceded	59	75
Shots	99	82
Passes	3684	4169

Analysis

Real Madrid have 16 points from 7 games and have an eight-point lead over Villarreal. Madrid have scored 18 goals, while Villarreal have scored 13. Real Madrid have more shots, 99 versus 82 shots for Villarreal. Villarreal have made more passes, indicating their ability to keep possession. Nevertheless, the attacking performance of Madrid and their home ground make them more likely winners. Injuries of Madrid might be an opportunity for Villarreal.

The Pick: Real Madrid

Match 4: Real Betis vs CA Osasuna

Date: 11 October 2026 (Sunday)

Time: 12:30 PM ET | 9:30 AM PT | 10:00 PM IST

Venue: Estadio La Cartuja, Seville, Spain

La Liga Projected Squad List

Real Betis

Position	Players
Goalkeepers	Á.valles, Diego Conde, Manu G., Á. De Pablo
Defenders	Bellerín, Llorente R., Natan, Bartra, Fran García, V. Gómez, J. Firpo
Midfielders	F. Bernal, P. Fornals, Á. Ortiz, Iker, Fidalgo, Riquelme, N. Deossa, Lo Celso, Marc Roca, Isco, D. Ceballos
Forwards	Antony, C. Hernández, Ez Abde, Parrott, Aitor Ruibal, Morante
Coach	Manuel Pellegrini

CA Osasuna

Position	Players
Goalkeepers	S. Herrera, Aitor Fdez., Rafa Fdez.
Defenders	Herrando, Rico, V. Rosier, Boyomo, Catena, Arguibide, Santos, Rockson
Midfielders	Torró, Moncayola, Iker Muñoz, Moi Gómez, Moro, Del Castillo, Dubasin, Abel Bretones, Mauro, A. Osambela
Forwards	Raúl, Aimar, Kike Barja, Rubén García, Budimir, A. Bonel
Coach	Luis Miguel Ramis

Injury List

Unavailable players for Real Betis: Júnior Firpo (injury), Marc Bartra (injury).

Unavailable players for Osasuna: Romain Del Castillo (injury), Iker Muñoz (injury), Raúl Moro (injury), Jorge Herrando (injury).

La Liga Team Stats & Performances

Statistics	Real Betis	CA Osasuna
Points	16	8
Position	3	13
Played	7	7
Won	5	2
Lost	1	3
Drawn	1	2
Yellow Cards	10	17
Red Cards	0	0
Goals Scored	9	6
Goals Conceded	7	13
Fouls Received	79	83
Fouls Conceded	68	98
Shots	87	52
Passes	3634	2716

Analysis

The advantage is with Real Betis, who have secured 16 points in seven games played. This team has managed to score nine goals and concede seven. Osasuna has eight points; the team has scored six goals while conceding 13 goals. The home side has an advantage in terms of ball possession and shots taken. Moreover, the injured players on Osasuna’s side reduce the options in their midfield. Betis will control possession and create more scoring opportunities at home.

The Pick: Real Betis

Conclusion

La Liga Matchday 8 may alter the positions of teams as the best teams look for more points. This is something that is likely to be achieved by Barcelona, Real Madrid, Atlético Madrid, and Real Betis. The statistics will give some hints about the dream. It will depend on how the players play to determine the outcome of each match. All it takes is good finishing, passing, defense, and discipline. Several positions may be determined by Monday night.