La Liga Fixtures 2016: Schedule, Live Stream and Week 16 Predictions

Barcelona have an opportunity to make ground on La Liga leaders Real Madrid in Week 16, with Los Blancos absent from the schedule as they take part in the 2016 FIFA Club World Cup.

The Blaugrana take on city neighbours Espanyol at the Camp Nou on Sunday, and a victory will take them to within three points of the league leaders.

Meanwhile, third-placed Sevilla host Malaga, and Atletico Madrid will attempt to get back to winning ways before the Christmas break when they play Las Palmas at the Vicente Calderon Stadium.

Read on for the schedule and streaming details for this week's fixtures, along with predictions for each clash: 

Date	Time (GMT/ET)	Match	Prediction
Dec. 16	7:45 p.m./2:45 p.m.	Alaves vs. Real Betis	1-1
Dec. 17	Noon/7 a.m.	Sporting Gijon vs. Villarreal	0-2
Dec. 17	3:15 p.m./10:15 a.m.	Atletico Madrid vs. Las Palmas	2-1
Dec. 17	5:30 p.m./12:30 p.m.	Granada vs. Real Sociedad	0-1
Dec. 17	7:45 p.m./2:45 p.m.	Sevilla vs. Malaga	3-1
Dec. 18	3:15 p.m./10:15 a.m.	Leganes vs. Eibar	1-1
Dec. 18	5:30 p.m./12:30 p.m.	Deportivo La Coruna vs. Osasuna	2-1
Dec. 18	7:45 p.m./2:45 p.m.	Barcelona vs. Espanyol	3-0
Dec. 19	7:45 p.m./2:45 p.m.	Athletic Club Bilbao vs. Celta Vigo	2-1

Matches can be streamed via Sky Go (UK) and beIN Sports Connect (U.S.). 

Preview

The Catalan derby has been fairly predictable in recent years. Espanyol have not beaten their city rivals since 2009 and have conceded four goals or more on six occasions in the interim.

The corresponding league fixture last season between Barca and Espanyol at the Camp Nou ended in a 5-0 drubbing for the visitors, with Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez (2), Rafinha and Neymar netting the goals.

However, there is a chance things could be different on Sunday, not least because of Espanyol's impressive recent form—they have not lost a match since September—per Spanish football writer Sergi Dominguez:

Also, despite resounding victories against Osasuna and Borussia Monchengladbach in their last two outings, Luis Enrique's Barca side have struggled to hit their superlative best with any great consistency in 2016-17.

Before beating Osasuna last time out, the Liga champions drew three games on the bounce in the Spanish top flight, against Real Madrid, Real Sociedad and Malaga.

They have looked vulnerable at times during the current campaign, and Espanyol manager Quique Sanchez Flores will look to prey on any cracks that may appear in the Barca armour.

Barcelona remain firm favourites to prevail, though, and will be hugely motivated by the opportunity to close the gap to Real while they are in Japan.

David Ramos/Getty Images

Meanwhile, Atletico are enduring a rotten run of form. In their last three outings in all competitions, they have lost two and drawn one and most recently were thumped 3-0 by Villarreal in La Liga.

Diego Simeone's side now sit sixth in the Spanish top flight, 12 points off the top, and their title challenge is effectively over.

A win against Las Palmas on Saturday is a must given that Atleti will not be back in league action until Jan. 7, but the Madrid outfit can take confidence from the fact they prevailed against Los Amarillos in both of last season's clashes.