LaLiga Matchday 8: Barca on top as Celta Vigo visit Camp Nou

Barcelona went top of the table after Real Madrid drew with Osasuna last weekend and are bidding to remain in first place as they host Celta Vigo.

Los Blancos, meanwhile, will be keen to get back to winning ways when they make the short trip to Getafe.

Elsewhere, struggling Sevilla take on high-flying Athletic Bilbao, while Real Betis and Atletico Madrid face Real Valladolid and Girona, respectively.

Game of the week: Barcelona vs Celta Vigo (Sunday, 8pm)

Barcelona go into this clash in scintillating form, having won their last six LaLiga games in a row and kept clean sheets in their previous five — though they did suffer a Champions League defeat to Inter Milan in midweek.

The Blaugrana have the highest conversion rate in the division (14.6%) and are the only team yet to concede the opening goal.

However, Barca’s recent record against Celta is mixed, with just four wins in their last 10 league meetings (four draws, two defeats).

Additionally, Xavi’s men will need to be wary of Iago Aspas, who has scored 10 goals in 15 league matches against the Catalans — the joint-best tally of any player in the 21st century.

Getafe vs Real Madrid (Saturday, 8pm)

Real’s perfect start to the league season came to an end as they finally dropped points last time out.

Los Blancos have failed to claim victory on each of their last two visits to Getafe (one draw, one defeat) but the Azulones have managed just one home win in their last eight attempts (four draws, three defeats).

While Carlo Ancelotti’s men have made an impressive start to their league campaign with six wins and just one draw, they are yet to keep a clean sheet this season.

Getafe have conceded more LaLiga goals against Real than any other side except Barcelona (both 75), managing just five shut-outs in 34 attempts.

Sevilla vs Athletic Bilbao (Saturday, 5.30pm)

These two sides go into this fixture having had very different starts to the season.

Sevilla have managed just five points after seven LaLiga games (one win, two draws, four defeats) — their worst tally since the 1996-97 season, in which they were relegated.

That record saw the Andalucian outfit replace Julen Lopetegui in the dugout with former boss Jorge Sampaoli in midweek.

Athletic, meanwhile, are third in the standings on 16 points, which is their highest tally at this stage of a top-flight season since 1956-57 (adjusted to three points for a win).

Historically, Sevilla have enjoyed this fixture, only recording more wins against Espanyol (72) in the competition than against Athletic (65) — and they will be hoping to claim a much-needed surprise victory in this one.

Atletico Madrid vs Girona (Saturday, 3.15pm)

Girona face a tough test as they travel to the capital to take on Atletico.

They have failed to triumph in any of their last eight games on the road in LaLiga, losing seven — their longest winless run away from home in the top flight.

However, Atleti’s home record has been underwhelming so far, with two defeats from their three league matches on their own patch this term (one win).

The visitors will be hoping to spring a surprise and will lean on forward Cristhian Stuani, who has four goals in just three matches for the Catalan side against the hosts.

Real Valladolid vs Real Betis (Sunday, 1pm)

Betis are enjoying a strong start to the season, sitting fourth with 15 points — and Valladolid are next in the firing line.

Los Verdiblancos boss Manuel Pellegrini will head into this clash with confidence, having gone unbeaten in his last seven LaLiga games against Valladolid (four wins, three draws).

In contrast, Valladolid head coach Pacheta has yet to beat Betis in any competition, drawing one and losing two of his three meetings with them.

The visitors may need to rely on Borja Iglesias, who has won a league-high eight points for his team with his six top-flight goals so far.

The weekend’s other games

Osasuna vs Valencia (Friday, 8pm

Almeria vs Rayo Vallecano (Saturday, 1pm

Cadiz vs Espanyol (Sunday, 3.15pm

Real Sociedad vs Villarreal (Sunday, 5.30pm

Elche vs Mallorca (Monday, 8pm)

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