La Liga Fixtures 2016: Schedule, Live Stream and Week 8 Predictions
The 2016-17 season in La Liga resumes on Friday, as the likes of Barcelona, Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid return to action after the international break.
All three teams face opponents they should dominate in Week 8, with Barcelona taking on Deportivo La Coruna, Atletico hosting Granada and Real visiting Real Betis.
But only the Rojiblancos grabbed a win in Week 7, taking the lead in the standings in the process. All three teams will be anxious to record a positive result. Here's a look at the schedule:
TOP NEWS
Madrid Fines Players $590K 😲
'Mbappé Out' Petition Gaining Steam 😳
Star-Studded World Cup Ad 🤩
| Friday, Oct. 14 | 7:45 p.m. BST | Las Palmas | Espanyol | Sky Go (UK), BeIN Sports Connect (U.S.) | Las Palmas |
| Saturday, Oct. 15 | Noon BST | Leganes | Sevilla | Sky Go (UK) | Sevilla |
| Saturday, Oct. 15 | 3:15 p.m. BST | Barcelona | Deportivo | BeIN Sports Connect (U.S.) | Barcelona |
| Saturday, Oct. 15 | 5:30 p.m. BST | Atletico Madrid | Granada | Sky Go (UK), BeIN Sports Connect (U.S.) | Atletico |
| Saturday, Oct. 15 | 7:45 p.m. BST | Real Betis | Real Madrid | Sky Go (UK), BeIN Sports Connect (U.S.) | Real Madrid |
| Sunday, Oct. 16 | 11 a.m. BST | Alaves | Malaga | Sky Go (UK) | Draw |
| Sunday, Oct. 16 | 3:15 p.m. BST | Athletic Club | Real Sociedad | Sky Go (UK), BeIN Sports Connect (U.S.) | Athletic |
| Sunday, Oct. 16 | 5:30 p.m. BST | Sporting Gijon | Valencia | Sky Go (UK), BeIN Sports Connect (U.S.) | Draw |
| Sunday, Oct. 16 | 7:45 p.m. BST | Villarreal | Celta Vigo | Sky Go (UK), BeIN Sports Connect (U.S.) | Villarreal |
| Monday, Oct. 17 | 7:45 p.m. BST | Eibar | Osasuna | Sky Go (UK), BeIN Sports Connect (U.S.) | Eibar |
Preview
Barcelona's last outing in La Liga was the spectacular 4-3 loss against Celta Vigo on Oct. 2, and of the big three clubs, the Catalans face arguably the toughest challenge in Week 8.
Deportivo have drawn their last two matches at the Camp Nou, and while their early-season form has been pedestrian at best, they did pick up a win over Sporting Gijon before the international break.
The Galicians have struggled to replace star forward Lucas Perez, who departed for Arsenal during the summer. As highlighted by La Liga's official YouTube channel, he was a nuisance in last year's 2-2 draw:
But defensively, Deportivo have been fantastic so far, conceding just six goals in seven matches―fewer than Barcelona (10) and Real Madrid (seven).
Lionel Messi is not expected to feature because of injury, but an attack led by Luis Suarez and Neymar should still have enough firepower to find a way through Depor's tough defence.
Over in Sevilla, Real Betis will host Los Blancos, who have slumped to three consecutive draws and couldn't find a way past lowly Eibar at home in Week 7.
Real badly needed some good news during the international break, and Toni Kroos' contract extension couldn't have come at a better time.
Per the club's official Twitter account, he's excited to continue his work with the side:
Kroos was one of the few standout players in the final weeks before the international break, and it will be up to some of the bigger stars to step up and be difference-makers moving forward.
One key player to keep an eye on is Cristiano Ronaldo, who has struggled for form after a lengthy spell on the sidelines with injury. If the star forward finds his shooting boots, it would only help Los Blancos moving forward.
Atletico have won two straight entering their match against Granada, one of two winless teams remaining in La Liga after seven gameweeks. The Andalusians have lost three in a row and have so far conceded 16 goals, tied for the worst record in the division.
Per ESPN FC's Dermot Corrigan, the team is in complete disarray:
"Granada's starting XI at home to Leganes on Saturday included players on loan from Barcelona, Roma, Manchester United, Porto, Valencia, Udinese, Malaga and Torino. There were also Arsenal and Dynamo Kiev loanees on the bench and youngsters owned by Chelsea and Swansea watching in the stand.
[...]
Just the 18 players arrived at Granada last summer, as well as new Chinese owners, and a coach in Paco Jemez. They have just two points from their seven games so far, with 24 [!] players used already. Jemez has already been fired, and caretaker Lluis Planaguma is not expected to last long.
"
The Rojiblancos have been powered by the great form of Antoine Griezmann, who leads La Liga in scoring, with six. Manager Diego Simeone is playing a more open brand of football than in years past, and the Frenchman has been the main beneficiary.
Atletico are at their best when they use their fantastic athleticism to run teams ragged, and Granada have so far struggled maintaining their defensive form. That's a bad combination for the visitors, who could be in for a long day at the Estadio Vicente Calderon on Saturday.
