A REAL WORRY
makes us even more motivated,” Athletic midfielder Benat Etxebarria told reporters.
Athletic have only lost one home game in all competitions, to champions Barcelona in August, and are set to welcome back top scorer Aritz Aduriz to the starting line-up for the first time in over a month after the veteran recovered from injury.
Barca host Valencia looking for a response from their surprise defeat to Deportivo, which came four days after their sensational 6-1 win over Paris St Germain in the Champions League.
Barca are also set to welcome back Neymar, the hero of their amazing second leg comeback, after a thigh problem.
Sevilla are third in the standings, having slipped five points behind Real with two consecutive draws.
Their promising season further unravelled on Tuesday with a 2-0 defeat to Leicester City and elimination from the Champions League.
Jorge Sampaoli’s side visit Atletico Madrid, who are fourth in the standings and can cut the distance with Sevilla down to two points with a win.
Eibar v Espanyol (1200), Athletic Bilbao v Real Madrid, Alaves v Sociedad, Real Betis v Osasuna;
Leganes v Malaga, Atletico Madrid v Sevilla, Sporting Gijon v Granada, Deportivo v Celta Vigo, Barcelona v Valencia. Reuters