La Liga Fixtures 2016: Schedule, Live Stream and Week 26 Predictions
The Madrid derby is the highlight of La Liga's fixtures this week, when third-place Real try to stay in the title race by beating second-place Atletico on Saturday.
A day later, table-toppers Barcelona entertain a talented and resourceful Sevilla side. While Barca's dynamic front three can open up any defence, the reigning champions should be wary of Sevilla's own useful attack, particularly jet-heeled Frenchman Kevin Gameiro.
Here are the full fixtures for Week 26, including schedule and streaming details, along with a prediction for each game:
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| Date | Time (GMT / ET) | Match | Live Stream | Prediction |
| Friday, Feb. 26 | 7:30 p.m. / 2:30 p.m. | Eibar vs. Las Palmas | Sky Go / beIN Sports Connect | 2-1 |
| Saturday, Feb. 27 | 3 p.m. / 10 a.m. | Real Madrid vs. Atletico Madrid | beIN Sports Connect | 2-1 |
| Saturday, Feb. 27 | 5:15 p.m. / 12:15 p.m. | Getafe vs. Celta Vigo | Sky Go / beIN Sports Connect | 0-1 |
| Saturday, Feb. 27 | 5:15 p.m. / 12: 15 p.m. | Sporting Gijon vs. Espanyol | Sky Go / beIN Sports Connect | 0-0 |
| Saturday, Feb. 27 | 7:30 p.m. / 2:30 p.m. | Real Betis vs. Rayo Vallecano | Sky Go / beIN Sports Connect | 1-1 |
| Saturday, Feb. 27 | 9:05 p.m. / 4:05 p.m. | Real Sociedad vs. Malaga | Sky Go / beIN Sports Connect | 2-1 |
| Sunday, Feb. 28 | 11 a.m. / 6 a.m. | Villarreal vs. Levante | Sky Go / beIN Sports Connect | 1-0 |
| Sunday, Feb. 28 | 3 p.m. / 10 a.m. | Valencia vs. Athletic Bilbao | Sky Go / beIN Sports Connect | 2-2 |
| Sunday, Feb. 28 | 5:15 p.m. / 12:15 p.m. | Deportivo La Coruna vs. Granada | Sky Go / beIN Sports Connect | 1-0 |
| Sunday, Feb. 28 | 7:30 p.m. / 2:30 p.m. | Barcelona vs. Sevilla | Sky Go / beIN Sports Connect | 3-1 |
Stream links: Sky Go, beIN Sports Connect.
Preview
No team in Europe defends quite like Atletico, and manager Diego Simeone's group has turned being stubborn into an art form.
Tactically, their miserly magic relies on a team-wide commitment to pressing intelligently in forward areas while having the discipline to maintain a solid shape deep.
But while tactical nous always helps, there's no substitute for talented players at the back. Simeone has those in abundance, but of all of his stingy stars, none shine as brightly as centre-back Diego Godin.
The rugged Uruguayan is a natural defender, as smart as he is aggressive, a precise tackler and commanding in the air.
Sky Sports' La Liga pundit Terry Gibson (h/t Sky Sports' Peter Smith) believes Godin is the on-pitch extension of Simeone: "Godin also epitomises the spirit of Simeone. If Simeone could still play, he'd be Diego Godin. He's that type of player."
Even though Godin is a rock in defence, Atleti's back line also owes a debt of gratitude to goalkeeper Jan Oblak. The stopper proved his worth in Madrid's recent UEFA Champions League draw against PSV Eindhoven, per Squawka:
In usual fashion, Los Blancos will rely on attacking talisman Cristiano Ronaldo to put a dent in Atleti's wall, but it might be centre-forward Karim Benzema who is the key man.
He's been out injured, but Madrid recently confirmed Benzema is back in training, with Goal's Matthew Rogerson suggesting boss Zinedine Zidane may include his countryman in the derby.
The Frenchman is in free-scoring form, according to FourFourTwo's Kiyan Sobhani, who also noted how important Benzema's creative contributions are:
"While Benzema’s goalscoring return so far in 2015/16 is on a par with his career-best tally, he’s drawn criticism for his lack of assists - just two all season. Such a figure does not accurately measure his contribution, though: more often than not, Benzema is involved in the move that ends with the ball nestling in the opposition’s net, with the striker often playing the penultimate pass.
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Zidane needs the ex-Lyon striker to link well with Ronaldo and Co., as Benzema's movement and clever touches near the box could stretch Atletico's regimented defence out of position.
Cracking Simeone's defensive code won't be easy, but it's nothing compared to the challenge facing Sevilla boss Unai Emery. He has to find a way to stymie Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar.
Even on a quiet day, at least one member of this trio is likely to find the net. Messi had such a day during the recent 2-0 win at Arsenal in the Champions League. The Argentinian marvel bagged a brace, despite being far from his best, a fact he reportedly later admitted to Suarez, per Sid Lowe of the Guardian:
But Sevilla shouldn't count on another off day from Messi. Having Neymar's lightning pace and the energy and endeavour of Suarez around him has made Messi an even better player. It's a terrifying thought for the rest of La Liga, one that keeps Barca firm favourites in the title race.
