Following a rare midweek off, all 20 LALIGA EA SPORTS teams will approach their Matchday 33 fixtures this weekend full of energy and aware that this is the business end of the season, when every point is extra valuable. There are some fascinating six-pointers at both ends of the table this matchday, as well as ELGRAN DERBI between Real Betis and Sevilla FC, in which victory is always so important.

League leaders Real Madrid are involved in the very first game of the weekend on Friday night, when they pay a visit to Real Sociedad. Still high on the euphoria of their dramatic victory in ELCLASICO, the capital city side will hope to seal the LALIGA EA SPORTS title as soon as possible. It won’t be easy at the Reale Arena, a stadium where Los Blancos lost last season, and Carlo Ancelotti will make it very clear to his players that they need another win to keep up momentum.

The first game of Saturday takes place in the Canary Islands, where UD Las Palmas will meet Girona FC. These are the two clubs based furthest away from each other in the top flight, so the Catalan club will hope it’s a worthwhile trip as they aim to add more points to their Champions League qualification cause.

On Saturday afternoon, UD Almería and Getafe CF meet at the Power Horse Stadium, where the Andalusian outfit still haven’t won yet this league season, since their only victory came on the road. If they don’t achieve that first home win of the season here, they’ll be mathematically relegated, so this is a vitally important game for the Andalusian club.

RC Celta are currently in 17th and just outside the relegation zone, so need victories too and will aim to secure one when they visit Deportivo Alavés. Without the suspended Jørgen Strand Larsen, it could be Iago Aspas leading the line in this one, and he often comes up big at this time of year.

On Saturday night, the Estadio Cívitas Metropolitano will host of the most important fixtures remaining this season, as fourth-placed Atlético de Madrid take on fifth-placed Athletic Club. Just three points separate these two teams as they each battle to finish inside the top four and secure a Champions League ticket for next season. Although Diego Simeone’s men have home advantage for this game, Athletic Club have already defeated Atleti three times this season across all competitions, so it’s anyone’s guess as to what happens in Matchday 33.

There is another vitally important direct duel, this time down at the bottom of the table, to kick off Sunday’s action. Cádiz CF currently occupy the final relegation spot and have their eyes on RC Celta and RCD Mallorca, who both enter this matchday with a six-point cushion. With Javier Aguirre and his RCD Mallorca side visiting the Estadio Nuevo Mirandilla this weekend, Cádiz CF know they can cut the distance between them and the islanders in half, so will give every ounce of effort in this match.

Depending on that Cádiz CF result, and the RC Celta game the day before, Granada CF may also be at risk of having relegation mathematically confirmed by the time they step out onto the pitch to take on CA Osasuna at the Nuevo Estadio de Los Cármenes. Either way, Los Rojiblancos will look to put their best foot forward in front of their home crowd.

Villarreal CF vs Rayo Vallecano is next up and El Submarino Amarillo will be looking to keep up their good form, as only Real Madrid have picked up more points than Marcelino’s side in the past two months. This positive run has propelled Villarreal CF into the European race, but they need to keep winning to catch those above them.

On Sunday night, at 9pm CEST, Real Betis and Sevilla FC will resume their rivalry in ELGRAN DERBI, one of the most passionate derby matches in all of world football. These teams may be some distance apart in the table, with Real Betis currently seventh and Sevilla FC 12th, but that won’t matter at all on derby day as the city stops to watch Los Verdiblancos and Los Rojiblancos do battle once more.

If Real Betis fail to win ELGRAN DERBI, that will open the door for Valencia CF to move back into the final European position if they win away at FC Barcelona on Monday night. The Estadi Olímpic will be the venue for that Barça vs Valencia CF match, the perfect way to end an enthralling matchday.