Club football is back and a tantalising Matchday 10 awaits in LALIGA EA SPORTS, as each of the main title challengers faces a tough test this weekend.
For leaders Real Madrid, they'll pay a visit to Sevilla FC to take on their former captain Sergio Ramos. As for Atlético de Madrid, they'll need to be focused when they travel to Vigo to face RC Celta. Reigning champions FC Barcelona will then resume their historic rivalry against Athletic Club.
The very first game of Matchday 10 is the Friday night contest between CA Osasuna and Granada CF. The latter have taken just one victory this season, but winger Bryan Zaragoza is in great form and just made his debut for Spain. He'll hope to lead Granada CF to more points in the boisterous atmosphere of El Sadar.
Real Sociedad host the first of the four Saturday games at the Reale Arena, where they'll take on an RCD Mallorca side who are experts at picking up hard-fought points. The islanders have drawn five games already, the most in the division, and won't by fazed this trip to the Basque Country.
Next up is Getafe CF vs Real Betis, and Los Azulones have fond memories of their previous meeting, when they won 1-0 in Seville back in May to kickstart their pursuit of survival. Getafe CF are comfortably in mid-table right now, with the team competing hard in every game under José Bordalás.
At 18:30 CEST on Saturday, all eyes will be on the Estadio Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán, where Sevilla FC will clash with Real Madrid. Not only is this Sergio Ramos' first match against the club where he was captain since his departure from Los Blancos in 2021, but this is also the first fixture for new Sevilla FC coach Diego Alonso, who was hired to replace José Luis Mendilibar during the October international break. Alonso will hope to start with what would be a famous victory against the current LALIGA EA SPORTS leaders.
In the late game on Saturday, Atlético de Madrid will look to keep up their good form when they visit RC Celta. Atleti have won their previous five matches across all competitions, but will be reminded by Diego Simeone of their disappointing 3-0 loss at Valencia CF in the first match following the September international break. This time out, Los Colchoneros will aim to add three more points to their title hopes.
In the first of Sunday's matches, it's UD Las Palmas vs Rayo Vallecano, a duel which hasn't taken place in Spanish football's top tier since 2016. Both sides are currently in mid-table, so an even contest is expected.
Second-placed Girona FC then host bottom-placed UD Almería, another match with a coaching debut as Gaizka Garitano takes charge of the Andalusian club for the first time. It'll be a very tough start for the new boss of Los Rojiblancos, as he tries to work out a Girona FC side who have dazzled over the start of the current LALIGA EA SPORTS season.
On Sunday evening, current Deportivo Alavés coach Luis García Plaza returns to his former club, as the Basques pay a visit to Villarreal CF. With El Submarino Amarillo having failed to win any of their past four in league play, Deportivo Alavés will view this as a good opportunity to pick up a point or three.
FC Barcelona vs Athletic Club then takes centre stage on Sunday night at 9pm CEST. This is one of the most historic fixtures in Spanish football, as both clubs have been present in every single LALIGA EA SPORTS season, while it'll be an extra special occasion for Los Leones coach Ernesto Valverde, as he takes on his former club. With Barça currently suffering an injury crisis, the current boss of Los Blaugrana, Xavi, will have to conjure up some solutions if the Catalan outfit are to overcome the fifth-placed team in LALIGA EA SPORTS.
The final match of the round will be held at Mestalla on Monday night, as Valencia CF and Cádiz CF do battle. In their two encounters last season, Cádiz CF won both times, so Los Che will be out for revenge as they play in front of their home fans.
