Real Madrid host Sevilla FC as they look to maintain pace with FC Barcelona

Real Madrid vs Sevilla FC

Real Madrid returned from the winter break with a comprehensive thrashing of Getafe CF away, registering a 3-0 victory thanks to a brace from defender Raphael Varane. The win and FC Barcelona’s draw saw Los Blancos draw level on points with their great rivals at the top of the LaLiga Santander table. They face a stern test on matchday 20 as they host Sevilla FC who sit fourth, five points behind the two leaders and four points clear of Real Sociedad for the final Champions League position. Sevilla FC have had indifferent form recently with a win, loss and draw coming in their last three, and they will need a renewed defensive effort at the Bernabeu if they’re to come away with points. Real Madrid won both fixtures last season and Sevilla FC failed to score in each.

FC Barcelona vs Granada CF

FC Barcelona lost their advantage over Real Madrid on the weekend, failing to beat RCD Espanyol in the Barcelona derby. The defending LaLiga Santander champions went down 1-0 eary but two goals in 10 minutes shortly after half-time saw them take the lead, but Frenkie De Jong’s 75th minute red card would change the tide of the game. Substitute Wu Lei finished superbly with a minute to go in normal time and RCD Espanyol earned their biggest point of the season. Granada CF snapped a two-game losing streak on the weekend with a 1-0 win over RCD Mallorca and they will be looking for a repeat performance against a side they have already beaten this season. Granada CF stunned FC Barcelona 2-0 in their earlier meeting in September.

Eibar SD vs Atletico de Madrid

Atletico de Madrid rattled off their third-consecutive win on the weekend, overcoming Levante UD 2-1 after an opening 18 minutes that saw all three goals scored. They appear to have shaken off the form slump that saw them drop out of the Champions League positions and have started to play more freely. They travel to Eibar SD on matchday 20 to play a side that has won just one game in their past five. Eibar SD has never beaten Atletico de Madrid in 10 LaLiga Santander meetings and have only managed two draws over that span.

Real Betis vs Real Sociedad

Real Sociedad’s 2-1 loss at home to a rejuvenated Villarreal CF side saw them further lose touch with the top four, now sitting four points behind Sevilla FC for the final qualifying position. Their defence continues to prove an issue, contrasted by their lethal attack, and they will need to get tighter at the back if they’re to maintain the chase for Europe’s elite competition. They travel to face Real Betis on matchday 20 who are winless in their last three including disappointing draws with RCD Espanyol and D. Alaves. Real Sociedad won the earlier meeting this season 3-1.

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