FC Barcelona and Real Madrid look to bounce back in MD13

SD Eibar vs Real Madrid

SD Eibar picked up their second consecutive LaLiga Santander win when they were 2-1 victors away at CD Leganes last Sunday. It was their fourth win of the season and moved them six points clear of the relegation zone. With three home wins already this campaign, the hosts will be looking forward to the arrival of Real Madrid. Los Blancos dropped points for the second time in three LaLiga Santander matches when they drew 0-0 with Real Betis last weekend. Despite their blip in form, they remain level on points with FC Barcelona at the top of the table. Real Madrid have often had the upper hand in this fixture with seven wins from the last eight league meetings, although SD Eibar were impressive 3-0 winners in this game last season. 

FC Barcelona vs RC Celta

FC Barcelona lost their third LaLiga Santander game of the season when they fell to a 3-1 defeat to an inspired Levante UD side last weekend. It was the first time they had dropped points in their last six league games and allowed Real Madrid and Real Sociedad to pull level with them on 22 points at the top of LaLiga Santander. The Catalans have won all five of their home league games so far this season and have been in free-flowing form, scoring 21 goals. RC Celta arrive at the Camp Nou in the bottom three after suffering their fourth consecutive LaLiga Santander defeat, falling 1-0 to Getafe CF last time out. Most would expect an FC Barcelona win, but Celta will be buoyed by the fact that they have only lost two of the last five league meetings between the sides. 

Atlético de Madrid vs RCD Espanyol

Atlético de Madrid missed the chance to go top of LaLiga Santander when they drew 1-1 with Sevilla FC last weekend. It was a frustrating fourth draw in five LaLiga Santander outings but ensured their unbeaten league run stretched to seven matches. RCD Espanyol remain 19th in the table after giving up a lead to lose 2-1 to Valencia CF last weekend. It was their fifth defeat in six league matches and left them with just the two league wins so far this season. They may be in poor form, but RCD Espanyol can take some confidence from the fact they have won three of the last five league meetings between these two sides.

Real Betis vs Sevilla FC

The Seville Derby is one of the fiercest fixtures of the LaLiga Santander calendar and this instalment promises to be no different, with both sides coming into the fixture in good form. Real Betis picked up a solid 0-0 draw at the Santiago Bernabéu on Saturday evening, capping a good week which saw them also record a 2-1 victory over RC Celta. Sevilla FC are unbeaten in their last four LaLiga Santander matches and sit just one point off the top of the table with 21 points from 12 games. Recent LaLiga Santander meetings between the two sides have been close encounters, with each having won two of the last five meetings. Real Betis will feel confident with raucous home support behind them, especially having won this fixture 1-0 last season.  

Follow all the results and the standings from the opening round of matches in LaLiga Santander on www.livescore.com