Early front runners FC Barcelona make the short journey up to Girona FC as La Liga returns after the international break for Matchday five. Elsewhere Real Madrid take an injury-hit squad up to Real Sociedad and Atlético Madrid host last-place Valencia CF. Here are some match predictions for the heavy hitters following the international break.
Barcelona and Real Madrid Expected To Prevail Through Tough Away Days
Barca Out For Catalan Derby Revenge
Hansi Flick couldn’t have hoped for a better start to his tenure as Barcelona manager – his team is the only remaining side with a 100% record after four games. However, they face arguably their toughest test yet with a trip up to local rivals Girona.
The Catalan minnows shocked everyone by finishing fourth last season, and on their way, managed to claim the regional bragging rights too. Barcelona lost both derbies home and away by a 4-2 scoreline which will further fuel Flick’s incentive to continue their perfect start.
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As for this weekend, we can expect the Blaugrana to continue their strong start and get the derby win. Although perhaps not in the same exciting fast-paced fashion as their previous games. With players coming back from international duty, one can anticipate a slow first half with Flick bringing names off the bench throughout the game to secure all three points.
Prediction: Girona FC 0-2 FC Barcelona
Madrid Squad On Fitness Race Against The Clock
The visitors could be without a host of players as more stars suffered injury blows on international duty. Eder Militao and Aurelien Tchouameni should be available for the trip to the Basque Country but are unlikely to feature after picking up knocks away on international duty. Jude Bellingham will hope to win his fitness battle to be available for this fixture having been sidelined for the last three La Liga outings.
As far as Real Sociedad are concerned, they will be missing European Championship final-winning goalscorer Mikel Oyarzabal as he picked up an ankle sprain whilst playing for Spain against Serbia. This will be a big blow for La Real as they have only managed three goals in four games so far this season.
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Madrid’s quality in their full squad should prevail on Saturday night even at a loud Reale Arena. Mbappe and Vini Jr will be relishing the chance to run at a defence that no longer contains Real Sociedad’s defensive rock of last season, Robin Le Normand.
LWOF Prediction: Real Sociedad 0-2 Real Madrid
Atleti Waiting For Álvarez To Get Off The Mark
Completing the top three, Atlético Madrid occupy their usual spot in the late game on Sunday night as they host Valencia CF in the Spanish capital. Diego Simeone’s men will be looking to build on their positive start, but will likely give a rest to star signing Julián Álvarez. The 24-year-old missed just one minute over two games with the Argentina national team.
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This could mean fans will have to wait yet another weekend to see la araña net his first goal in the famous red and white stripes. Having failed to score in his first four appearances, Julián will be hoping he can soon replicate his wonder strike for Argentina on international duty this week.
Guests at the Civitas Metropolitano, Valencia, have had a start to forget sitting bottom with just one point. This has proven a difficult fixture for them over the years having never beaten Atleti away from home in the Diego Simeone era. It looks like their woes in the capital will continue this weekend.
LWOF Prediction: Atlético Madrid 3-1 Valencia CF
Villarreal And Sevilla On Opposite Ends Of Excitement
Favourites to make up the top four this season, Villarreal, visit the idyllic island of Mallorca with hopes to continue their positive opening to the campaign. Fans of the yellow submarine will be wishing to return to the Champions League since they reached the semi-finals back in the 2021/22 season.
LWOF Prediction: RCD Mallorca 0-1 Villareal CF
Sevilla, on the other hand, can only dream of reaching any European football after their dreadful form over the last couple of terms has spilt over into this one. Fans might not know what to think if they are unable to get a result at home to Getafe – a seemingly routine fixture. But despite their off-the-field turbulence this summer, los Azulones have yet to taste defeat so far (albeit they haven’t won either).
LWOF Prediction: Sevilla FC 1-1 Getafe CF
