La Liga Fixtures 2015 Week 22: Schedule, Live Stream Info, Picks and Key Players
The Madrid derby is the standout clash in what should an engrossing weekend of action in La Liga.
Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid have played out some thrilling battles as of late, and Diego Simeone’s side will see this game at the Vicente Calderon as a brilliant chance to haul themselves back into contention to defend their league title.
That’s not the only quality match on offer this weekend, though. Barcelona face an interesting challenge when they face Athletic Bilbao, who have been somewhat hit and miss so far this season. But at the San Mames, the Basque outfit have proved very difficult to beat.
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Here are all the fixtures to savour in the Spanish top flight this weekend, all the information you need on where to catch the matches live and a score prediction for all the games on offer.
| Friday, Jan. 6 | 7:45 p.m. | Deportivo vs. Eibar | 1-0 |
| Saturday, Jan. 7 | 3 p.m. | Atletico Madrid vs. Real Madrid* | 2-1 |
| Saturday, Jan. 7 | 5 p.m. | Villarreal vs. Granada | 3-0 |
| Saturday, Jan. 7 | 7 p.m. | Levante vs. Malaga* | 1-1 |
| Saturday, Jan. 7 | 9 p.m. | Real Sociedad vs. Celta Vigo* | 2-1 |
| Sunday, Jan. 8 | 11 a.m. | Cordoba vs. Almeria | 1-0 |
| Sunday, Jan. 8 | 4 p.m. | Getafe vs. Sevilla | 1-3 |
| Sunday, Jan. 8 | 6 p.m. | Espanyol vs. Valencia* | 0-2 |
| Sunday, Jan. 8 | 8 p.m. | Athletic Bilbao vs. Barcelona* | 1-3 |
| Monday, Jan. 8 | 7:45 p.m. | Elche vs. Rayo Vallecano | 1-1 |
All games can be streamed using beIN Sports Connect (U.S.)
*Games can be streamed via the Sky Go App (UK)
Raphael Varane
After Sergio Ramos hobbled off against Sevilla in midweek, Carlo Ancelotti will have a dearth of centre-back options at his disposal.
Indeed, young Frenchman Varane will have to lead by example at the heart of the back four against Atleti despite being behind both Ramos and Pepe in the centre-back pecking order so far this season.
Nicholas Rigg of Marca thinks the home side’s front two could consequently cause big problems:
It’d be the perfect time for Varane to show his undeniable quality, though. A game at the Calderon in front of the raucous Atletico faithful is primed for composed figures, and the 21-year-old’s insouciant style of defending has seen him hailed as one of the best young players in world football. But he’s going to be coming under a lot of pressure in this fixture.
Simeone’s side will play in their patented direct, robust and wholly industrious style, and although they may not have quite as much of the ball, the Atletico manager will have cited the centre-back area of the Los Blancos team as a real weakness—especially as Varane will most likely have to carry through the relatively inexperienced Nacho.
Ancelotti has claimed that he has full confidence in his players, though, per Dermot Corrigan of ESPN:
For Real, a win here would be a major marker. Los Blancos haven’t really gotten into full flow since the turn of the year, and in the Copa del Rey clashes between these two sides, Atletico always seemed to boast an edge. There will be a massive onus on the young shoulders of Varane to ensure that’s not something that happens again.
Neymar
Lionel Messi’s perennial majesty has naturally hogged much of the spotlight when it comes to Barcelona as of late, but Neymar has arguably been just as impressive as part of the team’s devastating attacking triumvirate. Here are some of his highlights from the campaign so far:
The mercurial Brazilian is enjoying a sensational season on the left flank for the Blaugrana, and as noted by MisterChip, he’s more than holding his own against the likes of Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo in terms of goalscoring:
Away from home, the former Santos man has become increasingly vital for the Catalans, and it’s tough not to foresee him playing a starring role again at the San Mames on Sunday. Barcelona have played some magnificent incisive football on the break recently, with Messi relishing in his role as architect and Neymar often there to cap moves off.
As noted by Barcastuff, the duo have stuck up a brilliant relationship this season:
"8 of Messi's 14 assists for Barcelona so far this season were assists to Neymar #fcblive [via @barca19stats]
— barcastuff (@barcastuff) January 30, 2015"
At the San Mames, Barca might not have quite as much of the ball as they’re used to. As a result, their play on the break could be crucial to getting a result. That should see Neymar emerge as the Blaugrana’s key man once again; if he and Messi link up with their standard sparkle, there are few teams around capable of handling them.
