La Liga is the premier division tournament in Spanish football.

Founded in 1929, the La Liga is competed by 20 teams with the three lowest placed teams being relegated to the Segunda Division at the end of every season. The three relegated teams are replaced by two top-placed teams in Segunda Division and a play-off winner in the second division league.

Meanwhile, the top-four placed teams in La Liga directly qualify for the UEFA Champions League every season.

Since the inception of La Liga, as many as 62 teams have contested in the La Liga. Interestingly, there have been only nine different winners of the top-tier league of Spanish football.

Between 1936 and 1939, La Liga was cancelled due to the Spanish civil war.

Real Madrid hold the record for winning the most consecutive titles in La Liga. The Los Blancos won five consecutive La Liga titles from 1960 to 1965 before again repeating the feat from 1985 to 1990.

Who won the first La Liga?

FC Barcelona won the inaugural edition of La Liga in 1929. The inaugural edition of La Liga was a 10-team affair. The Blaugrana bagged the title after beating Real Union in the final round of the Liga. Barcelona secured 25 points from 18 matches, two points clear of arch-rivals Real Madrid.

Since then, the Catalan giants have won the title on 27 occasions.

Who has won the most La Liga titles?

Real Madrid are the most decorated team in La Liga, having won the title a record 36 times. The Los Blancos are also the reigning champions of La Liga, having clinched the 2023-24 edition of the league.

La Liga winners List

2023�024: Real Madrid

2022-23: FC Barcelona

2021�022: Real Madrid

2020�021: Atlético Madrid

2019�020: Real Madrid

2018�019: FC Barcelona

2017�018:  FC Barcelona

2016�017: Real Madrid

2015�016: FC Barcelona

2014�015: FC Barcelona

2013�014: Atlético Madrid

2012�013: FC Barcelona

2011�012: Real Madrid

2010�011: FC Barcelona

2009�010: FC Barcelona

2008�009: FC Barcelona

2007�008: Real Madrid

2006�007: Real Madrid

2005�006: FC Barcelona

2004�005: FC Barcelona

2003�004: Valencia

2002�003: Real Madrid

2001�002: Valencia

2000�001: Real Madrid

1999�000: Deportivo La Coruña

1998�999: FC Barcelona

1997�998: FC Barcelona

1996�997: Real Madrid

1995�996: Atlético Madrid

1994�995: Real Madrid

1993�994: FC Barcelona

1992�993: FC Barcelona

1991�992: FC Barcelona

1990�991: FC Barcelona

1989�990: Real Madrid

1988�989: Real Madrid

1987�988: Real Madrid

1986�987: Real Madrid

1985�986: Real Madrid

1984�985: FC Barcelona

1983�984: Athletic Bilbao

1982�983: Athletic Bilbao

1981�982: Real Sociedad

1980�981: Real Sociedad

1979�980: Real Madrid

1978�979: Real Madrid

1977�978: Real Madrid

1976�977: Atlético Madrid

1975�976: Real Madrid

1974�975: Real Madrid

1973�974: FC Barcelona

1972�973: Atlético Madrid

1971�972: Real Madrid

1970�971: Valencia

1969�970: Atlético Madrid

1968�969: Real Madrid

1967�968: Real Madrid

1966�967: Real Madrid

1965�966: Atlético Madrid

1964�965: Real Madrid

1963�964: Real Madrid

1962�963: Real Madrid

1961�962: Real Madrid

1960�961: Real Madrid

1959�960: FC Barcelona

1958�959: FC Barcelona

1957�958: Real Madrid

1956�957: Real Madrid

1955�956: Athletic Bilbao

1954�955: Real Madrid

1953�954: Real Madrid

1952�953: FC Barcelona

1951�952: FC Barcelona

1950�951: Atlético Madrid

1949�950: Atlético Madrid

1948�949: FC Barcelona

1947�948: FC Barcelona

1946�947: Valencia

1945�946: Sevilla

1944-1945: FC Barcelona

1943-1944: Valencia

1942-1943: Athletic Bilbao

1941-1942: Valencia

1940-1941: Atlético Madrid

1939-1940: Atlético Madrid

1935�936: Athletic Bilbao

1934�935: Real Betis

1933�934: Athletic Bilbao

1932�933: Real Madrid

1931�932: Real Madrid

1930�931: Athletic Bilbao

1929�930: Athletic Bilbao

1929: FC Barcelona

Featured photo: Gabriel BOUYS / AFP

Supercopa de Espana or Spanish Super Cup is a super cup tournament in Spanish football.  

Since the inception of the Supercopa de Espana in 1982, the club competition has been held annually, organised by the Royal Spanish Football Federation.

The Spanish Super Cup was founded as a two-team competition played between the winners of the La Liga and Copa del Rey.

Real Sociedad won the first edition of the Supercopa de Espana after beating Real Madrid 4-1 in a two-legged final.

Except for the 1983, 1988 and 1992 tournaments, the first leg match was played at the cup winner's stadium.

In 2018, the Supercopa was played for the first time as a single match hosted at a neutral venue.

From the 2019-20 season, the Supercopa was expanded to four teams which included the winners and runners-up of the Copa del Rey and La Liga.

Real Madrid are the defending champions of the Spanish Super Cup after defeating arch-rivals Barcelona 4-1 in the 2023-24 final.

Meanwhile, Barcelona are the most successful team in the competition with 14 titles, closely followed by Madrid who have clinched the trophy on 13 occasions. Get Spanish Super Cup winners list.

Spanish Super Cup winners list: Know all Supercopa de Espana champions

Year	Winner	Runner-up
1982	Real Sociedad	Real Madrid
1983	Barcelona	Athletic Bilbao
1984	Athletic Bilbao	-
1985	Atletico Madrid	Barcelona
1986	Real Madrid and Zaragoza did not play
1987	Real Madrid and Real Sociedad did not play
1988	Real Madrid	Barcelona
1989	Real Madrid	-
1990	Real Madrid	Barcelona
1991	Real Madrid	Atletico Madrid
1992	Barcelona	Atletico Madrid
1993	Real Madrid	Barcelona
1994	Barcelona	Zaragoza
1995	Deportivo La Coruna	Real Madrid
1996	Barcelona	Atletico Madrid
1997	Real Madrid	Barcelona
1998	Mallorca	Barcelona
1999	Valencia	Barcelona
2000	Deportivo La Coruna	Espanyol
2001	Real Madrid	Zaragoza
2002	Deportivo La Coruna	Valencia
2003	Real Madrid	Mallorca
2004	Mallorca	Valencia
2005	Barcelona	Real Betis
2006	Barcelona	Espanyol
2007	Sevilla	Real Madrid
2008	Real Madrid	Valencia
2009	Barcelona	Athletic Bilbao
2010	Barcelona	Sevilla
2011	Barcelona	Real Madrid
2012	Real Madrid	Barcelona
2013	Barcelona	Atletico Madrid
2014	Atletico Madrid	Real Madrid
2015	Athletic Bilbao	Barcelona
2016	Barcelona	Sevilla
2017	Real Madrid	Barcelona
2018	Barcelona	Sevilla
2019-20	Real Madrid	Atletico Madrid
2020-21	Athletic Bilbao	Barcelona
2021-22	Real Madrid	Athletic Bilbao
2022-23	Barcelona	Real Madrid
2023-24	Real Madrid	Barcelona

Most successful teams in Supercopa: Titles won by each club

Team	Titles	Winning years
Barcelona	14	1983, 1991, 1992, 1994, 1996, 2005, 2006, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2016, 2018, 2022-23
Real Madrid	13	1988, 1989, 1990, 1993, 1997, 2001, 2003, 2008, 2012, 2017, 2019-20, 2021-22, 2023-24
Athletic Bilbao	3	1984, 2015, 2020-21
Deportivo La Coruna	3	1995, 2000, 2002
Atlético Madrid	2	1985, 2014
Valencia	1	1999
Sevilla	1	2007
Zaragoza	1	2004
Mallorca	1	1998
Real Sociedad	1	1982

Photo credit: Alamy

Real Sociedad welcome Manchester United to the Estadio Anoeta for their final UEFA Europa League 2022-23 Group E fixture on November 3. The match is scheduled to start at 11:15 PM IST.

Hosts Real Sociedad have been impressive this season, both in the domestic league and European competition. 

The Imanol Alguacil-led side has won seven, lost four and drawn one of their 12 games in La Liga so far. However, the defence has been a major concern as they have let in 15 goals, which is currently the worst defensive record among the teams in the top half of the table.

Even though they have lost their previous two fixtures in the domestic league, Real Sociedad were on an eight-game winning run across all competitions from September 15 to October 19.

Moreover, they have won all five of their UEL group stage fixtures and are certain of a top-of-the-table finish if they avoid a defeat against Manchester United by a margin of two goals.

On the other hand, Manchester United have accumulated 23 points so far in the English Premier League 2022-23 with the help of seven wins, two draws and three defeats.

Erik ten Hag’s men are on an eight-game unbeaten run across all competitions since the 6-3 defeat to cross-city rivals Manchester City, keeping five clean sheets in the process.

In the UEL, Man United recovered from their 1-0 defeat in their opening game against Real Sociedad to win four on the trot and qualify for the knockout stages. 

Nonetheless, as mentioned earlier, the Red Devils need to win by a difference of at least two goals to top the group and qualify directly for the round of 16. 

The eight UEL group runners-up will progress to the preliminary knockout round where they will face as many third-placed teams that drop down from the UEFA Champions League. 

The winners of the above-mentioned play-offs will go on to face the eight group winners of the UEL in the round of 16.

Real Sociedad vs Manchester United head-to-head

The two teams have faced each other on five occasions in European Competitions - twice in the Champions League and thrice in the Europa League.

Out of these five encounters, Manchester United have emerged victorious twice while Real Sociedad have won once. Two games have ended in a stalemate.

One of those two wins for the Harry Maguire-led side came in the Europa League 2020-21 round of 32 stage, where they went on to finish as runners-up, losing to Villarreal in the final.

Where to watch Real Sociedad vs Manchester United UEFA Europa League 2022-23 match live in India?

The live telecast of Real Sociedad vs Manchester United in India will be available on Sony Ten 2 and Sony Ten 2 HD TV channels in India.

Live streaming of the Real Sociedad vs Manchester United UEFA Europa League 2022-23 match will be available on the Sony LIV app and website.

 

Interested in football betting? Click here to check out the list of top sites.

Featured image: Oli Scarff / AFP

Real Sociedad will host FC Barcelona at the Reale Arena for their La Liga 2021-22 Matchday 33 clash in the wee hours of Friday, April 22. The match will kick off at 1:00 AM IST (Indian Standard Time).

Imanol Alguacil-coached Real Sociedad have been in impressive form since suffering a 1-4 defeat against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu in early March. With 52 points from 32 matches, The White and Blues are currently placed sixth in the La Liga standings, five points behind fourth-placed Atletico Madrid.

On the other hand, Barcelona will look to return to winning ways in order to cement their spot for the next edition’s Champions League. Under manager Xavi, Barcelona are placed second in the standings with 60 points from 31 matches, 15 points behind arch-rivals Real Madrid, who top the table.

Real Sociedad vs FC Barcelona odds for La Liga 2021-22

Real Sociedad: 3.30

FC Barcelona: 2.16

Draw: 3.50

Click here to check football betting tips.

Note: Odds are subject to change.

Real Sociedad vs FC Barcelona recent form

Real Sociedad played out a goalless draw against fifth-placed Real Betis at the Reale Arena in their last outing on Saturday. The Basque outfit have accumulated 11 points from their last five league matches and are currently on a five-match unbeaten streak.

On the other hand, FC Barcelona will look to return to winning ways after being stunned 0-1 by Cadiz at Camp Nou on Tuesday. Before the Cadiz game, the Catalans were on a 15-match unbeaten streak in the La Liga. 

Last five matches in La Liga

Real Sociedad: D, W, W, D, W

FC Barcelona: L, W, W, W, W

Real Sociedad vs FC Barcelona head-to-head

Barcelona have dominated Real Sociedad in their head-to-head record in the La Liga, winning 24 of the 31 matches that they have played so far. Real Sociedad have secured just five victories while two matches have ended in stalemates.

At the Reale Arena, Barcelona have managed nine wins in 16 matches while Real Sociedad have claimed five victories. 

Real Sociedad vs FC Barcelona prediction for La Liga 2021-22 

Barcelona have won nine of their last 10 meetings against Real Sociedad in La Liga. The Catalans secured a 4-2 win over Sociedad in their previous meeting at Camp Nou and will start as favourites to bag maximum points from this upcoming La Liga fixture on Friday.

Featured photo: Josep LAGO / AFP

Real Madrid's 34th La Liga title owed much to their old-guard but Spanish football has witnessed a number of new players exploding onto the scene.

Here, we take a look at five revelations to come out of the season.

1. Martin Odegaard, Real Sociedad 

Real Sociedad have had many success stories this season, with Alexander Isak, Mikel Merino and Mikel Oyarzabal all helping to put them within sight of the top four. 

But Odegaard was the architect of their surge, delivering performances of such consistent quality that many believed Real Madrid might recall him early from his two-year loan. 

Martin Ødegaard's assist against Alavés this season is still stunning. Perfection.pic.twitter.com/ud6hVtaiSK

�Scouted Football (@ScoutedFtbl) April 18, 2020

Four goals and five assists hardly does justice to the 21-year-old's contribution. When Real Sociedad were playing well, he was at the heart of everything and it was no coincidence their late dip coincided with Odegaard's suffering from tendinitis. 

Half a decade after Madrid made him a world sensation aged 16, Odegaard is coming good. 

2. Lucas Ocampos, Sevilla 

After hopping around five clubs in seven years, Ocampos appears finally to have found his feet. 

The 25-year-old is not only Sevilla's top scorer, he is in the top five in La Liga, with 14 goals in 32 games. 

Sevilla signed Ocampos from Marseille and they got a gem because Ocampos has been one of the players of the season, with his running, power, and energy helping Sevilla secure a place in the top four. 

With a thundering shot and a feisty attitude, the Argentinian has been a fans' favourite from the start. 

Ocampos has already been linked with another move but with Sevilla in the Champions League, he might finally decide to stay put. 

3. Fede Valverde, Real Madrid 

Valverde was quieter after the three-month break seemingly took the edge off his fitness but he was the catalyst for Madrid's recovery early in the season and a pivotal run in the middle. 

That 21-match unbeaten streak put Madrid in contention for the title when Valverde was perhaps the team's most important player. 

Fede Valverde - The perfect midfielder pic.twitter.com/9JWmOCH5H0

�Esteban (@PrimeValverde) April 2, 2020

He injected energy and dynamism into a midfield that had become too one-paced and brought a directness that made Madrid's attack less predictable. 

When Madrid failed to deliver Paul Pogba last summer, many thought Zinedine Zidane had been left short. To his relief, Valverde stepped up. 

4. Ansu Fati, Barcelona 

It is 11 months since Fati burst onto the scene by becoming the third-youngest player to score in La Liga, before sending Spanish football into meltdown by scoring again, 111 seconds into his first start for Barcelona. 

At 16 years and 304 days old, he was Barca's youngest ever scorer but it was not just the records that impressed. He dribbled, shot, nutmegged opponents and took risks. 

Messi's 21st assist in LaLiga .
Another record in his name ..

Brilliant finish from Ansu Fati pic.twitter.com/0pOzgIcWjM

�Sports Freak (@OfficialSfreak) July 19, 2020

"We have to take this kid very seriously," warned Madrid's Marca while El Mundo declared: "A star is born". 

Eight goals, three since the restart, and 25 league appearances is a remarkable return for a now-17-year-old, with a hugely exciting future. 

5. Ferran Torres, Valencia 

Torres made his La Liga debut in January 2018 but this has been a breakthrough campaign for one of Spain's brightest young talents. 

Lightning quick and with an end-product to match, Torres has long been attracting the interest of Europe's top clubs, which could result in a move unless he extends his current contract beyond next year. 

• Read | Five Jadon Sancho replacements Manchester United should consider

His performances this season have done little to dampen enthusiasm around the 20-year-old, who has hit six goals in 43 games, including two in the Champions League. 

With Valencia missing out on Champions League qualification and the club again looking for a new coach, Torres appears to feel his future lies elsewhere. There will be no shortage of suitors. 

Villarreal's hopes of Champions League qualification are over after a 2-1 defeat to Real Sociedad on Monday confirmed Atletico Madrid and Sevilla will finish in La Liga's top four.

An excellent run of form since the restart had thrust fifth-placed Villarreal into Champions League contention but they were unable to close the gap and will now have to focus on securing a spot in the Europa League.

Real Sociedad had been fourth when La Liga resumed last month but, in contrast, their form collapsed. This victory was only their second in nine games but at least gives them hope of making the top seven.

Atletico and Sevilla are both nine points clear of Sevilla with two games left. They will join Barcelona and Real Madrid as Spain's four representatives in the Champions League next term.

Willian Jose and Diego Llorente both headed in to put Real Sociedad in control but Santi Cazorla's consolation strike could prove important for Villarreal, as it prevents La Real from owning the superior head-to-head record.

Villarreal beat Real Sociedad by the same scoreline in January.

Fifth place for Villarreal would mean avoiding the qualification phase of the Europa League. They sit three points clear of Getafe and Real Sociedad in sixth and seventh respectively.

Getafe were unable to take advantage as they were held to a goalless draw by relegation strugglers Alaves.

The stalemate earns what could prove a vital point for 17th-placed Alaves, who have a four-point cushion over Leganes and Real Mallorca with two games left.

One more win will guarantee Alaves' survival.

Feature image courtesy: AFP / Jose Jordan

Real Madrid knocked Barcelona off the top of La Liga by beating Real Sociedad 2-1 on Sunday as Sergio Ramos rolled in another penalty before being forced off due to injury.

Karim Benzema continued his excellent form by adding a second at Anoeta and while Mikel Merino gave Real Sociedad hope with seven minutes left, Madrid held on to go above Barca on head-to-head.

Real Sociedad were contenders for the top four before the three-month suspension but a draw and two defeats since the restart leaves them sixth, five points adrift.

Ramos scored his 20th consecutive spot-kick in the 50th minute to become La Liga's highest-ever scoring defender on 68 goals, overtaking Ronald Koeman on the all-time list.

"He's the best defender in the world," said Zinedine Zidane. "What he has been doing and achieving for so many years is incredible."

But Ramos limped off 10 minutes later with what looked like a knee injury, which will be a huge concern for Madrid if the problem proves serious. He was seen sitting with an ice-pack on his left knee in the stands.

"Right now it hurts a lot but that's just the bang I think," said Zidane afterwards. "That's the good news but we'll see."

Madrid also benefitted from two tight decisions after Adnan Januzaj drove in an equaliser for Real Sociedad, only to have it ruled out before Benzema doubled the lead and was adjudged not to have controlled with his arm.

Both calls were close and the fact they fell for Madrid will not have gone unnoticed in Barcelona.

"From what we've seen it will be very difficult for Real Madrid to drop points," said Barca defender Gerard Pique on Friday.

It was Barca's failure to score at Sevilla that presented the opportunity to Madrid, whose victory in one of their toughest fixtures left has shifted the title race back in their favour.

Their defence, which boasts the club's best record at this stage in 32 years, has been key.

- Casemiro suspended -

Casemiro is suspended after picking up a yellow card although Real Mallorca at home on Wednesday is the kind of fixture Madrid should be able to negotiate, even without Ramos and their only defensive midfielder.

Zinedine Zidane will at least hope to have Eden Hazard fresh again after the Belgian was named on the bench.

Gareth Bale was also among the substitutes not to be brought on.

His replacement Vinicius Junior caused Andoni Gorosabel problems with his pace and it was the Brazilian who won the penalty, after nipping inside the defender before his right foot was caught by Diego Llorente.

Ramos made no mistake but seemed to take a bang on his knee shortly after and despite limping on for several minutes, was eventually replaced by Eder Militao.

His removal coincided with a surge from Real Sociedad, who thought they had equalised when Januzaj drove into the corner only for Merino to be ruled offside, seen to be close enough to Courtois to be interfering with the goalkeeper's line of sight.

Real Sociedad's sense of frustration was compounded when Benzema made it two.

Referee Javier Estrada again consulted VAR but this time allowed the goal to stand, believing Benzema to have controlled with his shoulder before firing in.

Merino set up a nervy finish with a thundering shot in off the crossbar but Madrid held on for an important win.

- Guedes scores brilliant solo goal -

Earlier, Goncalo Guedes scored a mesmerising solo goal as Valencia stayed in touch with the Champions League qualification places by beating Osasuna 2-0. 

Guedes picked the ball up in his own half and surged past four Osasuna players before completing his stunning run with a driven shot into the top corner. 

Rodrigo Moreno made it two at Mestalla as Valencia reduced the gap behind fourth-placed Sevilla to six points. 

Osasuna drop to 12th and their next opponents will be Alaves, who suffered a crushing 6-0 defeat away at fellow strugglers Celta Vigo. 

Alaves were reduced to 10 men after 27 minutes when Martin Aguirregabiria was sent off and Celta capitalised.

Feature image courtesy: AFP / Ander Gillenea

The Spanish football federation (RFEF) expressed its support for a call Monday by the Spanish Cup finalists Real Sociedad and Athletic Bilbao for the final to be played with fans in the ground.

The clubs said in a joint press release that they had met with Luis Rubiales, the president of the RFEF, who had agreed to ask the general assembly on May 8, if the final could be played with open doors.

The RFEF immediately responded with a statement of its own, saying that it "fully shares the desire" of the two clubs to play the final "when health and sporting circumstances allow... open to the public and in the presence of fans and all those who wish to attend".

This would be the first all-Basque final in the history of the competition.

Read | La Liga eyes June restart date

"The desire and will of both clubs have always been, now and before, to play and enjoy the final match along with the supporters," they said in a joint English-language press release. "This is what we would like most. A final to be lived with our supporters in the stands."

The match was originally scheduled for April 18 in Seville at the Olympic Stadium, known as La Cartuja.

Announcing the postponement in March, Rubiales said: "The aim is for La Cartuja to be full of people."

No new date has been fixed. The Spanish league remains suspended and clubs have not been able to return to training.

Even so, the two Basque clubs said they wanted guarantees that "the final will be played as an official competition and will, therefore, be considered an official title."

The RFEF also supported that request, saying it will take steps to ensure the final was "an official competition at the appropriate time during 2020 or 2021 and before the Final of the 2020/2021 season."

Read | Who could stay or leave this summer? Barcelona’s squad assessed

It said it would agree with the two clubs "the most convenient date for this Final to be a great celebration of Spanish football."

The governing body of European football (UEFA) has said that places in next season's continental club competitions will be awarded "on sporting merit", if domestic competitions cannot be completed.

Real Sociedad, fourth in La Liga when play was suspended, would qualify for the Champions League. But, without a cup final, the last Spanish Europa League place would probably go to the team seventh in the table. Athletic, 10th in the standings, have said they are in "deep disagreement" with this solution.

Bilbao won the inaugural Spanish cup in 1903 and have lifted the trophy 23 times, second only to Barcelona, but their last triumph was in 1984. Real Sociedad have won the Copa del Rey twice.

Bilbao eliminated Barcelona in the quarterfinals while Real Sociedad put out Real Madrid.

The clubs said that by sharing the final "together with their fans, supporters, subscribers, members, and partners" they would be celebrating "the true essence, and raison d'etre of this wonderful sport".

Feature image courtesy: AFP / Ander Gillenea

Real Sociedad meet Real Madrid on Saturday with the chance to reassert their stiring start to the season and press home their case as genuine contenders for La Liga's top four. 

They head to the Santiago Bernabeu sitting two points behind Madrid and as the league's surviving surprise package after Granada's fairytale opening has dissipated following three consecutive defeats. 

Real Sociedad have so far avoided a similar reality check, even if their latest three games before the international break showed some signs of strain. 

They were held by Leganes, who are rooted to the bottom of the table, two weeks after losing at home to struggling Levante, who had then sat 13th.

"I went into the dressing room and it looked like a funeral," said coach Imanol Alguacil after the draw against Leganes.

Read | Mourinho returns to the fray as Man City face tough Chelsea test

Around those slips were narrow wins over Celta Vigo and Granada, each achieved with goals in the last 10 minutes, which could be seen as evidence of a ruthless streak or a double stroke of luck. 

Yet their lofty position is well-deserved. Real Sociedad have arguably been the most fluid, free-flowing side in the division so far, more entertaining to watch than Barcelona and with fewer goals conceded too. 

They have frightened opponents with their pace and bullied them with their intensity. 

In Martin Odegaard, they boast perhaps the most impressive creative midfielder of the season and while the 20-year-old is on loan from Real Madrid, he will be allowed to face his parent club, presumably with a point to prove. 

"When you see him in training and when he plays, you realise he is a special player," said Nacho Monreal this week, signed from Arsenal last summer. "He has found the right place to play and we work around him."

Mikel Oyarzabal's touch, craft and dazzling feet makes it easy to see why he continues to be linked with Europe's elite clubs even if the freedom he enjoys also owes a debt to the energy of Mikel Merino and Zubeldia behind him. 

Oyarzabal has four goals, along with Portu, while Willian Jose has five.

Read | Ronaldo ready to make amends as injury-hit Juve take on Atalanta in Serie A

They face a Madrid side that was finding their rhythm before the international break, after playing five games without conceding a single goal and winning four of them while scoring 16. 

Since October 5, Gareth Bale has not played for his club once but represented his country four times and, if selected, it remains to be seen how the Madrid fans react after the way he celebrated Wales' qualification for Euro 2020. 

After their win over Hungary in Cardiff, Bale bounced up and down behind a banner that read: "Wales. Golf. Madrid. In that order", an ironic reference to his list of priorities.

Zinedine Zidane will know his team cannot afford distractions. 

They sit behind Barcelona on goal difference and ahead of Atletico Madrid by a point. Barca are away at Leganes earlier on Saturday, while Atletico visit Granada. Sevilla, in fourth, travel to Real Valladolid on Sunday.

One to watch: Gerard Pique

Pique returns to Barcelona duty after an international break that saw the launch of tennis' new Davis Cup, which the Spaniard has helped revamp through his marketing company Kosmos.

The 32-year-old has long faced accusations of holding too many interests outside football but Valverde insisted last month that he would only share those concerns when Pique's performances dipped. 

At the end of a big week of tennis in Madrid, Pique's display will be under the microscope.

Key stats

6 - Alvaro Morata has six goals in his last six matches for Atletico Madrid.

391 - Days since Julen Lopetegui was sacked as coach of Real Madrid. If his Sevilla side beat Valladolid they could go top.

5 - Celta Vigo have lost their last five games in a row ahead of Sunday's trip to Villarreal.

Fixtures (all times GMT) 

Friday 

Levante v Mallorca

Saturday 

Leganes v Barcelona, Real Betis v Valencia, Granada v Atletico Madrid, Real Madrid v Real Sociedad

Sunday 

Espanyol v Getafe, Osasuna v Athletic Bilbao, Eibar v Alaves, Villarreal v Celta Vigo, Real Valladolid.

Feature image courtesy: AFP / Ander Gillenea

Sevilla avoided a third consecutive defeat in La Liga and stopped high-flying Real Sociedad from going top after coming from behind to beat them 3-2 on Sunday. 

After Real Madrid's stalemate against Atletico on Saturday, the Basque outfit could have leapfrogged both to claim first place in Spain but came up short in a pulsating contest at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan. 

It looked good for the visitors when Mikel Oyarzabal gave them a fourth-minute lead but Nolito equalized for Sevilla with a sumptuous half-volley before Lucas Ocampos and Franco Vazquez completed the comeback in the second half. 

Portu still set up a nervy finish when he added a second for Real Sociedad in the 87th minute but Sevilla held on for a much-needed win, after consecutive losses to Real Madrid and Eibar this week. 

After signing 12 new players in the summer, Sevilla have gelled impressively quickly and they now sit sixth, just two points off the top. 

Their credentials for keeping pace with the leaders will be tested next weekend, when they play away at defending champions Barcelona. 

Real Sociedad have been arguably the surprise side of the season so far, having already beaten Atletico Madrid and with Martin Odegaard, the 20-year-old on loan from Real Madrid, back in form.

They are fifth after seven games played, level on points with both Sevilla and Barca.

Sevilla were undone early as Adnan Januzaj won the ball back and freed Oyarzabal, who finished for his fourth goal of the season. 

The lead barely lasted even quarter of an hour though as Julen Lopetegui's side hit back with a brilliant goal of their own. Ever Banega's superb pass picked out Nolito at the back post and he took the ball on the half-volley, guiding it inside the far corner. 

Banega was again involved for Sevilla's second shortly after half-time as his quick free kick allowed Ocampos to weave his way through while Vazquez made it three with a smart finish from six yards. 

Sevilla should have been home and dry, but la Real had already hit the post through Jordan and pulled one back when Portu made the most of Odegaard's pass. Sevilla held on. 

Feature Image Courtesy: AFP/ Cristina Quicler