Preview: El Gran Derbi highlights derby weekend in Spain

It’s a weekend for derbies in the Spanish La Liga, with four of the matches on Matchday 26 pitting teams from the same region against each other. 

The El Gran Derbi between second-placed Sevilla FC and third-placed Real Betis is, however, the standout fixture in the Spanish league, with several other intriguing contests too in this round of top-flight action.

The first of the regional rivalries see Levante UD and Elche CF, two clubs from the Valencian Community, go head-to-head at the Estadi Ciutat de Valèncian on Friday night.

Elche, who are the visitors, haven’t won there since 1993, so will be hoping to earn a rare victory away at Los Granotas side, who are improving but still find themselves rooted to the bottom of the table.

Saturday’s slate of matches starts with Valencia CF making the short trip across the Mediterranean Sea to visit RCD Mallorca.

José Bordalás’ side hasn’t yet won a match in La Liga in 2022 and knows it’ll be difficult at the Visit Mallorca Stadium given that the home side Mallorca has won each of their past three matches there.

A tour of Madrid follows, with the final three games on Saturday all taking place in the Spanish capital.

First on the list sees Getafe CF host Deportivo Alavés in the south of the city, a match with huge and dire implications at the other end of the table.

With Geta having won each of their past four home matches, they’ll be targeting a fifth win in a row to keep the Basque side at a distance. 

The focus shifts to Vallecas, where Rayo Vallecano will take on league leaders Real Madrid in another key regional rivalry.

It was a tight contest when these two teams met at the Santiago Bernabéu earlier in the season, with Real edging it 2-1. So it could be even tougher for Los Blancos as they visit the side with the third-best home record in La Liga Santander this season.

While it’s true that Rayo’s excellent home form has dropped off of late, they’ll be determined to beat their neighbours and a raucous atmosphere should be expected. 

Saturday’s Tour de Madrid culminates with Atletico Madrid and RC Celta at the Estadio Wanda Metropolitano. Atleti haven’t won two league games in a row since November last year but will set out to achieve that on Saturday night against Celta, who are yet to lose a game since January 19, 2022.

The last time both teams met at the Metropolitano, it ended in a four-goal thriller following a 2-2 draw.

Sunday’s action starts with Super Eagles wide forward, Samuel Chukwueze and his Villarreal teammates hosting RCD Espanyol at the Estadio de la Ceramica.

Unai Emery’s boys led by Chukwueze will be looking to build on their impressive midweek draw against Juventus in the Champions League.

The Yellow Submarine are surfacing at the right time, closing in on the top four and a potential ticket for next year’s Champions League.

Later in the evening, football fans from around the world will tune in to enjoy the EL GRAN DERBI between Sevilla FC and Real Betis at 4:15 pm Nigerian time.

This is always a special fixture and produces one of the most famous atmospheres in world football, but there is even more at stake than usual in this derby as it will be the first-ever league meeting between these sides with both of them in the top three of the table.

Quality football and unparalleled passion should be expected at the Estadio Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán for what will be the third Seville derby of this season, with one victory each so far. 

Two big matches in the race towards Europe then take place thereafter, starting with Real Sociedad vs CA Osasuna, as La Real look to get back on track following last weekend’s crushing defeat in the Basque Derby to Athletic Club.

Athletic Club will hope to keep their positive run going when they visit Camp Nou to take on an in-form FC Barcelona.

The team from Bilbao have already knocked Xavi’s side out of the Copa del Rey this season and will now seek three LaLiga Santander points, although they’ll travel knowing that they haven’t defeated Barça in Catalonia since 2001.

The final match of this round brings another battle between two teams from the same region as Andalusian sides, Granada CF and Cadiz CF meet on Monday night to complete matchday 26.

This is very much a relegation six-pointer, as Granada CF are currently just outside the danger zone in 17th, while the Piratas are four points behind in 18th. Therefore, there will be a lot on the line when these two lock horns.