La Liga Table 2018: Latest Standings Following Friday's Week 36 Results

Sevilla started life after Vincenzo Montella with a La Liga victory on Friday night, as they beat Real Sociedad 1-0 at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan.

There was little to separate the two teams in a goalless first period. After the break Sevilla broke through thanks to an Ever Banega penalty before withstanding a late barrage from the visitors.

Later this weekend, the focus will be on the Clasico, as champions Barcelona seek to preserve their unbeaten campaign when they meet rivals and UEFA Champions League finalists Real Madrid.

Elsewhere, Valencia travel to Villarreal, knowing a win will be enough for them to secure their spot in the top four. Real Betis, in excellent form and in fifth position, travel to Athletic Bilbao.

Read on for this weekend's fixtures, a review of Sevilla's win on Friday and a look at what's to come over the next three days in Spain's top flight.

Friday, May 4

Sevilla 1-0 Real Sociedad

Saturday, May 5

Girona vs. Eibar

Athletic Bilbao vs. Real Betis

Celta Vigo vs. Deportivo

Villarreal vs. Valencia

Sunday, May 6

Malaga vs. Alaves

Atletico Madrid vs. Espanyol

Las Palmas vs. Getafe

Barcelona vs. Real Madrid

Monday, May 7

Leganes vs. Levante

For the La Liga table, visit Sky Sports

Friday Recap

Aitor Alcalde Colomer/Getty Images

After losing ground in the scrap for a top-six finish last weekend, it was imperative Sevilla bounced back in the first game since Montella's departure as manager.

But Sociedad were allowed to settle into the game at the Pizjuan. They controlled possession for long spells and carved out a couple of decent openings that were squandered by Adnan Januzaj and Mikel Oyarzabal.

For the hosts, Banega flashed an effort over the bar early on and should have done better with a close-range header; he could only direct it wide of the target in the end.

In the second period, there was a renewed sense of purpose in Sevilla's play. Just two minutes after the break, La Real's Diego Llorente was deemed to have fouled his man in the area, and Banega tucked home from 12 yards.

As noted by OptaJose, he's excellent from the spot:

Sandro Ramirez had the chance to give Sevilla two-goal lead soon after, but Miguel Angel Moya was on hand to produce an excellent stop to keep his team in the game.

In the final stages Sociedad did pile on the pressure, with Jon Bautista Orgilles, Sergio Canales and Juanmi all unable to make the most of decent openings.

In the end Sevilla stood firm and moved back up into seventh spot, three points behind Villarreal in sixth.

Weekend Preview

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Barcelona were crowned as Spanish champions once again last weekend, as they beat Deportivo 4-2 thanks to a Lionel Messi hat-trick. Now, for the Blaugrana, all the focus will be on not losing the rest of the campaign.

Sunday's meeting with Madrid is clearly the biggest obstacle preventing them from doing that. If Real were to win here and then go on to win the Champions League again, then you sense that Barcelona supporters would feel a little miffed.

Still, with Messi is in such incredible form at the moment, Madrid have a massive challenge on their hands. Per OptaJose (h/t FansBet), the Barcelona icon is having another exceptional campaign:

There's been such a massive onus on the Argentina international this season, and he's revelled in it in La Liga. Madrid's talisman, Cristiano Ronaldo, has also come into his own in 2018 and is on 24 goals for the campaign.

While it's all about the Champions League for Madrid now, they'll be desperate to end the streak of their great enemies here. As noted by Ball Street, despite the title destination being decided, there's still going to be some needle on Sunday:

Valencia, meanwhile, can cap off a fine campaign on Saturday. While they've been in the top four for much of the campaign, few would've tipped Marcelino's men to secure a Champions League spot from the outset of this season; a trip to Villarreal, who are seeking to consolidate sixth spot, will be tough, though.