This archive report was first published on 12 December 2019.
La Liga's top two teams, Barcelona and Real Madrid, are locked in a fierce battle for supremacy, with both sides facing significant challenges in the coming days.
Barcelona, who currently sit atop the table on goal difference, will travel to Real Sociedad in the Basque Country on Saturday, while Real Madrid will visit a resurgent Valencia side 24 hours later.
Barcelona's coach, Ernesto Valverde, expressed his satisfaction with the team's recent form, saying, 'We're in a good way. It's good to see this kind of consistency. We had to come through a difficult spell to get to where we are now.'
Valverde's team has lost just one of their last 16 matches in all competitions, and they will be looking to maintain their momentum against Sociedad, who have struggled of late after a strong start to the season.
Meanwhile, Real Madrid, who have won eight of their last 10 matches in all competitions, will face a tough test against Valencia, who secured a surprising spot in the Champions League knockout stages with a recent victory over Ajax Amsterdam.
Real Madrid's coach, Zinedine Zidane, will have to decide whether to rest midfielder Casemiro for the trip to Mestalla, as the Brazilian is a yellow card away from missing the upcoming Clasico through suspension.
Third-placed Sevilla will look to capitalize on any slip-ups by the top two teams when they host Villarreal, while Atletico Madrid will host Osasuna and Eibar will visit Athletic Bilbao in a Basque derby.
