(Reuters) – Actual Sociedad could be the shock LaLiga leaders, however Actual Madrid are near full power and may start to steal a march on their rivals this weekend after they face Rayo Vallecano, with Barcelona and Atletico Madrid nonetheless underperforming.
Carlo Ancelotti’s facet are one level behind Sociedad however have a sport in hand. Actual Madrid are additionally eight factors forward of outdated foes Barca, who’re but to announce a everlasting successor to sacked coach Ronald Koeman.
Karim Benzema and Vinicius Jr. have been in nice type this season for Madrid and forwards Eden Hazard and Gareth Bale are additionally near returning to match health after prolonged harm layoffs.
That provides Ancelotti a welcome choice headache forward of Saturday’s match on the Bernabeu.
“Hazard is able to play, we are going to see how Bale trains earlier than the sport. All gamers that aren’t enjoying must have religion and work onerous,” Ancelotti mentioned after Actual’s 2-1 win over Shakhtar Donetsk within the Champions League on Wednesday.
Hazard and Bale may have a tough time making an attempt to displace Vinicius Jr. within the beginning line-up because the Brazilian, who assisted Benzema twice on Wednesday, has seven targets and three assists in 11 LaLiga video games, solely two targets behind the Frenchman within the scoring charts.
Actual’s metropolis rivals Atletico fell flat of their European encounter this week, dropping 2-0 to Liverpool, although it might have been extra devastating. On Sunday they journey to Valencia, who snapped a seven sport winless run of their final match in opposition to Villarreal.
On Sunday, Sociedad will face one other of the season’s shock packages in Osasuna who’ve risen to seventh within the standings of their third marketing campaign again within the high flight.
Sevilla journey to bitter rivals Actual Betis the identical day trying to keep degree on factors with Actual Madrid. Julen Lopetegui’s facet misplaced 2-1 to Lille within the Champions League on Tuesday however solely have one defeat in 11 league video games this season.
Regardless of a slim victory over Dynamo Kyiv in midweek, Barcelona are nonetheless on a dismal run domestically and journey to Celta Vigo on Saturday ninth within the standings on 16 factors.
The Catalans haven’t received in three league matches however are attempting to succeed in an settlement with Qatari membership Al-Sadd to allow them to rent former Barca midfielder Xavi Hernandez as their new supervisor.
(Reporting by Fernando Kallas; Enhancing by Christian Radnedge)
