Key weekend in La Liga for both title race, relegation as referees under spotlight

MADRID, Feb. 20 (Xinhua) -- Matchday 25 in La Liga looks to be vital in the battle for the title and to avoid relegation as several sides close to the top take on rivals from close to the bottom.

After Celta Vigo and Osasuna get things underway on Friday night, relegation is on the agenda on Saturday lunchtime as second-bottom Alaves entertains Espanyol, who is currently 15th in the table.

Alaves coach Eduardo Coudet desperately needs a win after a run of poor results and although Espanyol is unbeaten at home for four months, it has the worst away record in La Liga.

Rayo Vallecano then faces Villarreal in a match between the sides sixth and fifth in the table. Rayo was unlucky not to get anything from Monday's visit to Barcelona which ended its nine-game unbeaten run, but again showed its attractive, high-energy football, while Villarreal was held to a 1-1 draw at home to Valencia and has lost striker Gerard Moreno for a month with a muscle injury.

Valencia remains third from bottom after the draw in Villarreal but is improving under coach Carlo Corberan and has a fascinating home game against third-place Atletico Madrid.

Atletico missed the chance to go top when it was held by Celta a week ago and is without the suspended Pablo Barrios and the injured Koke, which should see Conor Gallagher start in central midfield.

Five defeats in six games have dropped Las Palmas right back into the relegation dogfight and it could find itself second from bottom when it kicks off at home to Barcelona if Alaves and Valencia's results go against it.

Barcelona went back to the top of the table on goal difference on Monday night and will have Fermin Lopez back after suspension.

Barca faces Atletico Madrid in the first leg of its Copa del Rey semifinal on Tuesday night and both coaches will bear this in mind with their starting elevens, with Ferran Torres maybe starting in the Barca attack.

Fourth-place Athletic Bilbao is at full strength for the visit of bottom of the table Valladolid, who has former B-team coach Alvaro Rubio in the dugout after Diego Cocca's sacking last week.

Valladolid will hope Rubio can instill some fighting spirit into a side that looks to be in freefall towards the second division, but it will be hard against a rival unbeaten in its last 15 league games.

Real Madrid impressed at home to Manchester City on Wednesday night and will be favorite to beat a Girona side that is nice to watch, but lacks steel in defense.

Yangel Herrera is suspended for Girona for a game where the referee will be under the spotlight after Real Madrid's continued complaints against officials reached a crescendo after Jude Bellingham's red card last week.

Bellingham is suspended for two games, and Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti may make some more changes in the face of his side's packed fixture calendar.

Getafe defend its unbeaten record in 2025 at home to a Betis side that has plenty of attacking talent, including Antony, but who tend to blow very hot and cold.

Real Sociedad will be without the suspended duo Igor Zubeldia and Sheraldo Becker for their home match against Leganes, who could also be in the bottom three by kick-off.

The round of matches ends on Monday as Sevilla and Mallorca both look to keep their chances of playing in Europe next season. ■