LaLiga Fixtures 2016 Week 5: Schedule, Live-Stream Info, Picks and Key Players

Week 5 of the 2016-17 LaLiga season will deliver the first match between title candidates of the new campaign, as Barcelona host Atletico Madrid at the Camp Nou on Wednesday.

The Blaugrana have won three of the last four titles, with Atletico beating them to the top spot in the 2013-14 season, and with both teams trailing Real Madrid already, Thursday's match could have a major impact on the title race.

Real will play host to unbeaten Villarreal, while Valencia go looking for their first points of the season against Alaves. Here's a look at the schedule, complete with live-stream info and picks:

Date	Time	Home	Away	Pick	Live Stream
Tuesday, Sept. 20	7 p.m. BST	Malaga	Eibar	Draw	Sky Go (UK), Bein Sports Connect, FuboTV (US)
Tuesday, Sept. 20	9 p.m. BST	Sevilla	Real Betis	Sevilla	Sky Go (UK), Bein Sports Connect, FuboTV (US)
Wednesday, Sept. 21	7 p.m. BST	Real Madrid	Villarreal	Real	Sky Go (UK), Bein Sports Connect, FuboTV (US)
Wednesday, Sept. 21	7 p.m. BST	Celta Vigo	Gijon	Celta	Sky Go (UK), Bein Sports Connect, FuboTV (US)
Wednesday, Sept. 21	9 p.m. BST	Granada	Athletic Bilbao	Draw	Sky Go (UK), Bein Sports Connect, FuboTV (US)
Wednesday, Sept. 21	9 p.m. BST	Real Sociedad	Las Palmas	Draw	Sky Go (UK), Bein Sports Connect, FuboTV (US)
Wednesday, Sept. 21	9 p.m. BST	Barcelona	Atletico	Barcelona	Sky Go (UK), Bein Sports Connect, FuboTV (US)
Thursday, Sept. 22	7 p.m. BST	Deportivo La Coruna	Leganes	Deportivo	Sky Go (UK), Bein Sports Connect, FuboTV (US)
Thursday, Sept. 22	7 p.m. BST	Osasuna	Espanyol	Espanyol	Sky Go (UK), Bein Sports Connect, FuboTV (US)
Thursday, Sept. 22	9 p.m. BST	Valencia	Alaves	Draw	Sky Go (UK), Bein Sports Connect, FuboTV (US)

To access the Sky Go app, click here. For Bein Sports Connect, click here. For FuboTV, click here.

Here's a look at some of the key players for the Week 5 fixtures.

Barcelona: Gerard Pique

David Ramos/Getty Images

Barcelona may have bounced back from their shock loss against Alaves with a 5-1 win over Leganes in Week 4, but the result couldn't mask the team's defensive struggles. Manager Luis Enrique opted for a 3-4-3 formation, experimenting with his back line by introducing summer signing Samuel Umtiti and moving Javier Mascherano into a different role.

As shared by Dermot Corrigan of ESPN FC, it wasn't a complete success:

Sergi Roberto has been excellent as a replacement for Dani Alves at the right-back position, but Enrique seems determined to keep his options open. And while Umtiti has flashed his tremendous potential, there's a good chance the Catalans won't thrust him in at the deep end this soon in the campaign against a dangerous Atletico outfit.

In all likelihood, Mascherano and Gerard Pique will once again play alongside one another, and with the former struggling to start the season, the latter will come under a lot of pressure. Atletico's Antoine Griezmann needs no introduction: He's by far the best forward in Spain not playing for the Catalans or Real, and he showed his form in the 5-0 win over Sporting Gijon on Saturday.

Per Barcelona's official website, Enrique described how the three-on-three battles unfolded against Leganes, a result of his unusual formation:

"

We dealt with three-on-three situations really well in defence. The same goes for the attack, and with the players we have up front, we had to take our chances. We still have to improve, but I liked today’s approach.

When we have the ball, we work around the pivot. But with three centre backs, there’s no pivot. And instead the two central midfielders (Rakitic and Iniesta) drop back a bit – although there is a certain risk involved in doing that.

"

Atletico usually play with two strikers, however, and now is not the time to experiment. Expect Pique to partner either Mascherano or Umtiti and be tasked with tracking Griezmann and limiting runs over the top throughout the contest.

Atletico Madrid: Filipe Luis

TF-Images/Getty Images

Alaves didn't exactly provide a blueprint for beating Barcelona, but what the side did show was the Catalans' vaunted passing game can be shut down by placing enough bodies around the box and forcing the team into a multitude of crosses.

Atletico's defence and its aerial prowess are well known, and Enrique is unlikely to instruct his team to start firing high crosses into the box if things don't work out early. But what Barcelona do better than most is attack the back line and threaten with low balls into the box, particularly cutbacks, with one of Neymar, Lionel Messi or Luis Suarez halting their run and searching for space.

David Ramos/Getty Images

Dealing with such tactics can prove tricky, and the best way to do so is by denying those kind of passes in the first place. This is where full-backs Filipe Luis and Sime Vrsaljko come into play. Both have the range to be huge offensive factors, but on Thursday, their main task will be limiting space out wide.

Per the club's official website, Godin explained the challenge the Rojiblancos face:

"

We will have to be 120% concentrated, because their players are very good. We know the quality that FC Barcelona has, it has been proving it for many years, it has plenty of quality at the top and has a great defence. This Saturday, we have found, beyond the work, a feeling, and goals, which is good for our forwards. Great start of Gameiro and Griezmann, then Torres entered from the bench and was very energetic, and that speaks well of the commitment and how well everyone is.

"

Stopping Barcelona's fearsome attack is next to impossible, but by cutting off their supply, Atletico will have their best chance of winning. For that, both of their full-backs will have to be on their game, and of the two, the veteran Luis is most likely to also play a major role in the attacking third as well.