La Liga Table 2017: Latest Standings Following Friday's Week 26 Results

Real Sociedad moved into La Liga's top four at the expense of Atletico Madrid Friday night after they secured a gripping 3-2 win over Real Betis at the Benito Villamarin stadium.

Eusebio Sacristan's men took the lead twice through Jon Bautista and captain Xabi Prieto, although goals from Aissa Mandi and Antonio Sanabria made it 2-2. Eventually, 33-year-old Prieto grabbed his second in the 72nd minute to settle an absorbing game.

The match was a fine appetiser for what should be a fascinating weekend in La Liga. After their disappointing 3-3 draw against Las Palmas in midweek, Real Madrid have the chance to retake top spot when they visit Eibar on Saturday. Leaders Barcelona host Celta Vigo later in the day.

Here is how things are shaping up in the table following Friday's showdown in Andalusia, a recap of Sociedad's win and a rundown of what's to come in Spanish football's top flight.

Date	Time (GMT)	Fixture
Friday, March 3	7:45 p.m.	Real Betis 2-3 Real Sociedad
Saturday, March 4	12 p.m.	Leganes vs. Granada
Saturday, March 4	3:15 p.m.	Eibar vs. Real Madrid
Saturday, March 4	5:30 p.m.	Villarreal vs. Espanyol
Saturday, March 4	7:45 p.m.	Barcelona vs. Celta Vigo
Sunday, March 5	11 a.m.	Sporting vs. Deportivo
Sunday, March 5	3:15 p.m.	Atletico Madrid vs. Valencia
Sunday, March 5	5:30 p.m.	Las Palmas vs. Osasuna
Sunday, March 5	7:45 p.m.	Athletic Bilbao vs. Malaga
Monday, March 6	7:45 p.m.	Alaves vs. Sevilla

R	Team	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
1	Barcelona	25	17	6	2	71	21	+50	57
2	Real Madrid	24	17	5	2	63	25	+38	56
3	Sevilla	25	17	4	4	49	29	+20	55
4	Real Sociedad	26	15	3	8	42	36	+6	48
5	Atletico Madrid	25	13	7	5	45	22	+23	46
6	Villarreal	25	11	9	5	36	19	+17	42
7	Eibar	25	11	6	8	41	33	+8	39
8	Athletic Club	25	11	5	9	31	30	+1	38
9	Espanyol	25	9	9	7	35	33	+2	36
10	Celta Vigo	24	10	5	9	39	39	0	35
11	Alaves	25	8	9	8	25	31	-6	33
12	Las Palmas	25	7	8	10	35	39	-4	29
13	Valencia	25	8	5	12	35	43	-8	29
14	Real Betis	25	7	6	12	27	41	-14	27
15	Malaga	25	6	8	11	32	42	-10	26
16	Leganes	25	5	6	14	20	40	-20	21
17	Deportivo La Coruna	24	4	8	12	27	40	-13	20
18	Granada	25	4	7	14	24	53	-29	19
19	Sporting Gijon	25	4	5	16	27	54	-27	17
20	Osasuna	25	1	7	17	25	59	-34	10

Friday Recap

The visitors had a brilliant chance to put pressure on Atletico Madrid by playing first this weekend, and they started like a team with plenty to gain.

After just 10 minutes, La Real were in front. Bautista broke through into the penalty area, took a touch and finished calmly past the advancing Antonio Adan.

CRISTINA QUICLER/Getty Images

Their advantage was chopped down within six minutes, though, when centre-back Mandi produced an acrobatic half-volley to beat Geronimo Rulli. With two goals in such quick succession, the tone was set for a brilliant contest.

And it continued, as did the wonderful goals. This time it was Sociedad's Prieto on the scoresheet in the 26th minute, as he unleashed a brilliant curling shot into the top corner.

Per OptaJose, Sociedad are becoming specialists from distance:

Eventually, the game did settle down, with Sociedad using the ball well through Prieto and restricting the Andalusians. At the break, they deserved their 2-1 advantage.

Neither side took their foot off the gas in the second half, especially Betis, who stormed forward in search of an equaliser. After 65 minutes, they were level too when Sanabria stole in to score a close-range header.

Aitor Alcalde Colomer/Getty Images

But this Real team are made of stern stuff, and despite the second setback, they remained composed in pursuit of a winner; eventually, it was the most composed man on the pitch who got it.

Prieto, who is known for his aerial ability, found space in the box 18 minutes from time and steered home a pinpoint header to put the visitors ahead for a third time. Eventually, it was enough for Sociedad to grab their third away win in a row and cement their status as challengers for the top four.

Weekend Preview

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Given Real Madrid were in total control of the La Liga title race only a month ago and Barcelona looked to be in comparative disarray, the current state of the chase for top spot is remarkable.

Cristiano Ronaldo's late brace for 10-man Madrid against Las Palmas may have sent those away from the Santiago Bernabeu in good spirits, but in the cold light of day, it's a big two points dropped for Zinedine Zidane's side.

Nevertheless, these numbers show just how important Ronaldo has become to the Madrid cause:

A trip to Eibar, who have ambitions of qualifying for the UEFA Europa League, will not be easy either. Not only will the visitors be without the suspended Gareth Bale, but according to The Independent, Ronaldo may also miss the game after sitting out training Friday.

Should Madrid slip up, Barcelona have a chance to capitalise, and following Luis Enrique's announcement that he will be leaving his post as manager at the end of the season, it feels as though a weight has been lifted from the shoulders of the Catalan club.

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In midweek, they produced a strong display against Sporting Gijon too, winning 6-1. Per ESPN FC, Barcelona's attacking trio of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar were all in form:

Sevilla certainly shouldn't be forgotten about as they have a big part to play in this title fight. Jorge Sampaoli's side have clung on to the coat-tails of the big two and will be confident of keeping their hopes alive when visiting Alaves on Monday.

Atletico host Valencia in one of the most eye-catching tussles of Week 26. Following Sociedad's win, it's crucial Diego Simeone's side pick up three points and put the Basque outfit behind them again.