Preview: Champions League a big factor in La Liga matchday

Release time：2024-04-30 07:36:20 Source：Earthly Exploits news portal

The 31st round of matches in La Liga comes with three of the top-four involved in the Champions League and a week before Real Madrid host FC Barcelona in the second league 'Clasico' of the season.

Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti will have to consider resting some key players when his side visits beaten Copa del Rey finalists Mallorca on Saturday.

Raphinha (C) of FC Barcelona competes during the UEFA Champions League quarterfinal 1st Leg match between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and FC Barcelona in Paris, France, April 10, 2024. (Xinhua/Gao Jing)

Mallorca still have work to do to ensure their top-flight survival, but Javier Aguirre's men have shown they are rugged opposition and have only conceded more than one goal once in their last 10 games.

Real Madrid can expect a physical battle on the island and the only certain starter is Aurelien Tchouameni, who is suspended for the return leg of their Champions League tie away to Manchester City after Tuesday's 3-3 draw.

FC Barcelona are without suspended trio of Inigo Martinez, Robert Lewandowski and Joao Cancelo for their visit to struggling Cadiz. The trio all forced yellow cards in Barca's last league match against Las Palmas to ensure they would be free of suspension to visit Real Madrid next week, but with Alejandro Balde and Gavi still out, it leaves Xavi Hernandez short of options against a rival battling for survival.

Pedri and Frenkie de Jong could take some part in the game after returning from injury in Wednesday's win in Paris.

Atletico Madrid host third-placed Girona on Saturday lunchtime in a match that will have a big say on who qualifies for next season's Champions League.

Girona's win at home to Real Betis two weeks ago gave them a seven-point cushion over Atletico and nine over fifth-placed Athletic Bilbao, while Atletico are looking over their shoulder at Athletic.

Atletico also have little recovery time after Wednesday's Champions League 2-1 win at home to Borussia Dortmund, and with Memphis Depay injured, Angel Correa may start in attack.

Former Athletic coach Marcelino Garcia Toral returns to San Mames with Villarreal, and his side will form a guard of honor for the team that beat Mallorca in the Copa del Rey final last Saturday.

It has been a week of heavy celebrations in Bilbao and coach Ernesto Valverde has to get his players to focus as they have a vital game for their top-four hopes.

Athletic's cup win means the team finishing seventh in La Liga now has a good chance of playing in Europe next season. That should give extra motivation for Betis to end their four-game losing streak, when they entertain fourth-from-bottom Celta Vigo on Friday night.

Rayo Vallecano are only five points clear from the relegation zone and need a win in their Madrid derby at home to Getafe, who now also have a slight chance of a UEFA Conference League spot for next season.

Athletic's cup win has given a huge boost to Real Sociedad, who are now close to ensuring their return to Europe, and the side from San Sebastian should have no problem at home to bottom side, Almeria, who have just one win all season.

Granada also look doomed to relegation and Alaves will view their visit to the south as a chance to confirm their top-flight survival, with former Granada forward Samu leading their attack.

Sevilla visit Las Palmas in a mid-table duel, while Osasuna entertain Valencia on Monday in a game between two more sides who have a good chance of finishing seventh, with Valencia defending a five-point lead over the team from Pamplona. 

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