Liga BBVA: Predictions for Round 22 Fixtures of La Liga

Nothing has changed at the top of La Liga and nothing has changed at the bottom either. Both Real Madrid and Barcelona had closer than expected encounters but came away with wins.

There are 17 games remaining for all the teams to reach their goals, and things will begin to heat up as the season winds down.

Here are the predictions for Round 22 of La Liga.

Racing Santander vs. Atletico Madrid

Looking at the table, Racing Santander is going to be in a close relegation battle at season's end. This weekend they'll face a confident Atletico Madrid side with a poor away record. Should be an interesting battle

Prediction: Atletico Madrid win 2-1

Osasuna vs. Barcelona

Barcelona destroyed Osasuna 8-0 the last time these two teams met early in the season. Osasuna has found its feet since then and sits in ninth place with a pretty decent home record. It may be another tough weekend for Barcelona.

Prediction: Barcelona win 3-1

Real Betis vs. Athletic Bilbao

After setting up a Copa Del Rey final with Barcelona in the middle of the week, Athletic Bilbao will now turn its attention to climbing up the table. Real Betis will want to keep ahead of its relegation competitors and will try to gain every point possible at home.

Prediction: Athletic Bilbao win 1-0

Espanyol vs. Real Zaragoza

Espanyol has been doing decently in the league lately, but the same cannot be said about Real Zaragoza. Things are getting bleaker every week for that club as they now sit seven points behind their closest competitor in relegation.

Prediction: Espanyol win 2-0

Malaga vs. Mallorca

Malaga and Mallorca are only separated by three points despite the differences in position (eighth to thirteenth). The two teams could possibly switch places depending on the result, but Mallorca should be confident in its home record of six wins, two draws and two losses.

Prediction: Mallorca win 1-0

Rayo Vallecano vs. Getafe

Rayo Vallecano seems to be in a decent position for the moment. Getafe recovered from a really poor start to the season and could look to finish in the top half of the table if they perform well the rest of the way.

Prediction: Draw 2-2

Valencia vs. Sporting Gijon

It is certainly a two-horse race at the moment with Valencia 11 points behind second-place Barcelona. They will have to continue picking up points to fight off challengers and should feel confident of doing that at home against this opposition.

Prediction: Valencia win 2-0

Villarreal vs. Granada CF

Villarreal is just one point outside of the relegation zone and in need of some breathing space. Their opponents, Granada, have more losses than wins away from home. The Yellow Submarines should pick up the points.

Prediction: Villarreal win 1-0

Real Madrid vs. Levante

This one should be interesting. It's not a surprise to see Levante in its position anymore, and while a positive result for Levante in the Bernabeu may be surprising, it may be a tight game. 

Prediction: Real Madrid win 2-1  

Real Sociedad vs. Sevilla

Real Sociedad gave Barcelona a tough run last weekend and hammered Sporting Gijon in the round before. Sevilla has been free-falling lately with two draws and three losses in its last five games. 

Both teams need points, but Sevilla's away record is very poor.

Prediction: Real Sociedad win 1-0