La Liga Fixtures 2016: Schedule, Live Stream and Week 2 Predictions
Barcelona's trip to Athletic Bilbao stands out among La Liga's fixtures for Week 2. It's a chance for the Basque club to recover from last week's disappointing defeat to Sporting Gijon, and an opportunity to slow the champions' prolific start to the new campaign.
Barca hit Real Betis for six in the first week, with Luis Suarez in devastating form. Another marquee forward who thrived last week was Real Madrid's Gareth Bale, and he'll be looking to lead the line again when Los Blancos host Celta Vigo.
Meanwhile, Sevilla will hope to be in free-scoring form again when they travel to Villarreal. It's a match between two talented squads led by new managers.
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Here's the full list of fixtures for Week 2, along with live-streaming details and predictions:
| Date | Time | Match | Live Stream | Prediction |
| Friday, August 24 | 7:45 p.m. / 2:45 p.m. | Real Betis vs. Deportivo La Coruna | Sky Go / beIN Sports Connect | 0-1 |
| Friday, August 24 | 9 p.m. / 4 p.m. | Espanyol vs. Malaga | Sky Go / beIN Sports Connect | 2-0 |
| Saturday, August 25 | 5:15 p.m / 12:15 p.m. | Osasuna vs. Real Sociedad | Sky Go / beIN Sports Connect | 1-1 |
| Saturday, August 25 | 5:15 p.m. / 12:15 p.m. | Eibar vs. Valencia | Sky Go / beIN Sports Connect | 1-1 |
| Saturday, August 25 | 7:15 p.m. / 2:15 p.m. | Real Madrid vs. Celta Vigo | Sky Go / beIN Sports Connect | 4-1 |
| Saturday, August 25 | 9:15 p.m. / 4:15 p.m. | Leganes vs. Atletico Madrid | Sky Go / beIN Sports Connect | 1-1 |
| Sunday, August 26 | 5:15 p.m. / 12:15 p.m. | Alaves vs. Sporting Gijon | Sky Go / beIN Sports Connect | 1-0 |
| Sunday, August 26 | 5:15 p.m. / 12:15 p.m. | Las Palmas vs. Granada | Sky Go / beIN Sports Connect | 2-1 |
| Sunday, August 26 | 7:15 p.m. / 2:15 p.m. | Athletic Bilbao vs. Barcelona | Sky Go / beIN Sports Connect | 1-3 |
| Sunday, August 26 | 9:15 p.m. / 4:15 p.m. | Villarreal vs. Sevilla | Sky Go / beIN Sports Connect | 2-3 |
Suarez on for Another Hat-Trick
Suarez just can't stop scoring for Barcelona. It was a hat-trick in Week 1 and another is likely to follow in Bilbao.
Squawka confirmed Suarez's incredible scoring run after his heroics in Betis:
Many might have viewed Suarez as the weak link in a forward line also featuring Lionel Messi and Neymar when he joined the Catalan club from Liverpool in 2014.
However, the Uruguayan has made Barca a more potent force, with the Blaugrana collecting two league tiles, two Copa del Rey trophies and the 2014-15 UEFA Champions League.
Suarez is not just support for Messi, he's close to being his equal. Only Barca's No. 10 and perhaps Real's Cristiano Ronaldo could realistically claim to be at a higher level than Suarez. Even that would be a bold claim, though.
Bilbao's defence should be worried, especially after conceding twice in Sporting Gijon. Aymeric Laporte is still a rock when on form, but no defence can handle Suarez at the moment.
Bale Will Again be the Difference
Bale helped himself to a brace at Real Sociedad last week, and he'll again prove the difference when Celta arrive at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.
The Welshman is benefiting from understanding his significance in manager Zinedine Zidane's system, according to La Liga expert Guillem Balague of Sky Sports: "You have the fact that Gareth Bale quite clearly understands that his role is to get the ball and go faster than the full-back."
It's simplicity itself, but it's also the perfect way to get the best out of a forward who can't be matched for pace and is one of the most effective attackers in the air in the game.
Bale was the main man last week with Ronaldo resting after his exertions for Portugal at this summer's UEFA Euro 2016. Yet, even when Real's iconic No. 7 plays, the Wales international is a more significant figure than he's been in seasons past.
Celta still have some good players, specifically creative midfield man Fabian Orellana. However, his attacking instincts won't nearly be enough to match Bale's scoring potential.
Expect More Goals from Sampaoli's Sevilla
Eight goals scored and 12 conceded. There hasn't been a dull moment during Jorge Sampaoli's first four matches in charge of Sevilla.
The Chilean has quickly imprinted his familiar high-intensity pressing and gung-ho intent on last season's UEFA Europa League winners. In typical Sevilla fashion, the loss of key players has been absorbed without complaint.
Kevin Gameiro, last season's star striker, was sold on, but Luciano Vietto, Wissam Ben Yedder and Franco Vazquez arrived to offset the loss. Football Espana contributor Yousef Teclab offered suitable praise for the way Sevilla have handled their transition up front:
"Sevilla bring in 2 strikers to replace their top scorer & make a profit of €25m-€30m. That's how you conduct business in a transfer window.
— Yousef Teclab (@yousef738) July 30, 2016"
One of the replacements, Vietto, was on the scoresheet twice in last week's crazy 6-4 win over Espanyol. Yet, it's Vazquez who is making Sampaoli's ideas come to life on the pitch.
His vision and technical acumen are frequently unlocking defences in the final third and turning neat possession into clear chances.
It will be tough for Villarreal to corral Sevilla's many attacking threats, especially after losing centre-back Eric Bailly to Manchester United this summer. Things aren't quite as strong further forward, either, not since Denis Suarez rejoined Barcelona.
The Yellow Submarine are also still recovering from former manager Marcelino's walk-out prior to the start of the season. It's going to be a tough adaptation period for new coach Fran Escriba.
Title favourites Barca and Real will keep on rolling in the season's second week. Both are equipped to dominate the race to the top from start to finish.
