Season 2012/13: Spanish League Preview Week 31

Is the Seville derby the most spectacular in La Liga? This Friday’s dramatic 6-goal spectacle followed on from another 6-goal derby last November, although then Sevilla were firmly on top handing out a 5-1 thrashing to their archrivals. There's a massive game at the bottom for Mallorca and Celta, whilst Malaga try and bounce back from their midweek defeat in Germany with a home game against Osasuna. Pelligrini’s teams has slipped down to 7th place, four points off Real Sociedad in 4th and need all three points to keep their hopes alive of Champions League football next season. 

Will the Champions League hangover be too much for Malaga?

Deportivo go to Valencia to take on Levante having beaten three of their direct rivals for relegation (Celta, Mallorca and Zaragoza) in their last three matches. A fourth win on the bounce could see them climb out of the relegation zone for the first time in four months. Meanwhile, on Monday, Mallorca host Celta in a must-win game for both clubs. 

Can Deportivo make it four on the run?

The battle for second place continues this weekend with a comfortable home game – on paper at least – for Atlético Madrid against Granada. The Andaluses are without a win since early February and could drop into the relegation zone depending on the results for Zaragoza and Deportivo. Real Madrid have a tougher challenge with a trip to Athletic Club Bilbao. The fight for 4th place is still wide open though Real Sociedad could start to open a gap with Valencia, Betis and Malaga if they can extend their unbeaten run to 13 when they travel to Rayo Vallecano

Will it be unlucky number 13 for Real?