La Liga: Barca and Real Madrid Face Home Challenges Amid Different Champions League Outcomes

Madrid, April 17 (NationPress) FC Barcelona is set to reaffirm their position at the top of the Spanish La Liga table as they and second-placed Real Madrid take on formidable opponents in front of their home supporters this weekend. Barcelona currently holds 70 points from 31 matches, while Real Madrid has 66.

Barcelona will host Celta Vigo on Saturday night after advancing to the Champions League semifinals despite a 3-1 loss to Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday. The Catalan team appeared fatigued during that match, prompting coach Hansi Flick to contemplate resting Lamine Yamal, who has featured in nearly every game. Meanwhile, Inigo Martinez should be refreshed after sitting out Tuesday's match, and Gerard Martin is expected to continue at left back in place of the injured Alejandro Balde.

Real Madrid aims to sustain their prospects in the domestic league as they face Athletic Club Bilbao on Sunday night, following their exit from the Champions League (5-1 on aggregate) against Arsenal on Wednesday. Madrid struggled against Arsenal in both matches, leading Spanish media to speculate that Carlo Ancelotti may lose his position at the end of the season. Kylian Mbappe will miss the game due to suspension, but midfielder Dani Ceballos returns after a lengthy absence.

Athletic, currently in fourth place, visits Madrid after their Europa League match against Rangers on Thursday.

Villarreal, sitting fifth, boosted their Champions League aspirations with a 2-1 victory over Betis last weekend, and they can take further steps towards that goal at home against an unpredictable Real Sociedad.

Betis will face Girona on Monday night, with the latter looking to break a streak of nine games without a win, which has seen them dangerously close to the relegation zone.

Espanyol will play against Getafe at home on Saturday, with a victory likely securing their safety in the top flight after recent away wins against Rayo Vallecano and Celta Vigo.

Rayo coach Inigo Perez signed an extension until 2026 earlier this week, and his team will host an in-form Valencia.

Valencia's recent victory over Sevilla has lifted them towards safety, and under Carlos Corberan, their form would place them in the top four if maintained throughout the season.

Sevilla parted ways with Xavier Garcia Pimienta following last week's defeat to Valencia, bringing back veteran Joaquin Caparros for a fourth stint, starting with a home match against Alaves. Alaves is currently fourth from the bottom but could start the match in the relegation zone if Leganes wins against a Mallorca side aiming for European qualification.

Las Palmas could also escape the relegation zone after their surprising victory over Getafe last week, which likely saved Diego Martinez's job as coach. However, he faces a challenging task on Saturday with a home game against third-placed Atletico Madrid.

Atletico recently breezed past Valladolid on Monday with Julian Alvarez, Giuliano Simeone, and Alexander Sorloth performing exceptionally well, indicating they possess considerable attacking strength.