Battle for Champions League places heats up in LaLiga Gameweek 27

Battle for Champions League places heats up in LaLiga Gameweek 27

Faruq Ibrahim 14:21 - 31.03.2023

A clash between four of the teams in contention for the top four places are set for this weekend.

LaLiga resumes after the international break, and with the fixtures this gameweek, we are set to be treated to an exciting match week. 

The previous gameweek saw Barcelona win the Clasico, creating a 12-point lead at the top of the league.  

Atletico Madrid continued their impressive form this season, cutting the gap between them and Real Madrid to five points, while the rest of the top six retained their spots as they all won their games. 

The battles in the relegation spots also heated up, with Sevilla's loss and Getafe's win, setting the gap from 13th to 19th to just three points 

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Atletico Madrid v Real Betis

Sunday night's action in LaLiga will close with a battle for the Champions League spot between Atletico Madrid and Real Betis. 

Antoine Griezmann celebrates after scoring for Atletico Madrid /via Getty.
Antoine Griezmann celebrates after scoring for Atletico Madrid /via Getty.

This tie has been one-sided in recent times, with Los Verdiblancos only managing one win in 20 games against Diego Simeone's side, who have won 15 and drawn four.  

The head-to-head gets even worse for Betis while playing Los Colchoneros away from home, as they have failed to beat them since 2011, losing eight and drawing one.  

The uphill battle is made steeper for Betis, who will be without Sergio Canales, who has been suspended, while Atletico will be without Memphis Depay, who picked up a knock during international duty. 

Villarreal v Real Sociedad

Sixth-place The Yellow Submarines host 4th place Real Sociedad in a clash that could go a long way in deciding the team that finishes in the top four.  

La Reale won the reverse fixture in October and are on course to make it three straight victories against their hosts, as they won the last two games against them. 

Senegal's Nicolas Jackson and Nigeria's Samuel Chukwueze
Senegal's Nicolas Jackson and Nigeria's Samuel Chukwueze

However, Villarreal are in better form, winning three and drawing one of their last four. La Reale, on the other hand, have drawn three of its last five games, winning one and losing another.

Real Sociedad will be without Umar Sodiq, who was recently confirmed to be out for the rest of the season, while Villareal will be without Gerard Moreno. 

Elche v Barcelona

Saturday night action sees top-of-the-table Barcelona travel to face the league's basement club, Elche.  

Ansu Fati in action for Barcelona
Ansu Fati in action for Barcelona

Barcelona are overwhelming favourites to win this game, and their head-to-head shows it, the Blaugrana have won 16 and drawn four of their last 20 games, winning each of their last seven, the longest current winning streak in the league.

However, the Blaugrana will be missing key players, with Frenkie de Jong, Pedri and Dembele all recently ruled out of the tie. 

LaLiga Gameweek 27 fixtures

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