LaLiga log leaders, Barcelona will travel away this weekend as the Catalans face off against Rayo Vallecano. The Ernesto Valverde-led squad are in high spirits after their victory in their previous match in the El Clasico last week Sunday, beating Real Madrid 5-1.
While Los Blancos will be hoping to get back on track after their manager, Julen Lopetegui was sacked from the club after a disastrous start to the season. They will host sixth-placed Real Valladolid this coming Saturday.
Former SuperSport United defender, Thabo September picked out his winners for the upcoming matches this weekend. Do you agree with his choices?
Real Madrid v Real Valladolid (LaLiga)
Soccer 6 Pool: Match 2 Soccer 6 Pool 3 November S6 V3 P1
League Rankings: Real Madrid 9th v Real Valladolid 6th
Useful facts: It's been back to the drawing board yet again for Los Blancos after the ego-denting loss to rivals Barcelona in the El Clasico last weekend, and they will be out to make amends against a Real Valladolid that is sitting three places above them in the log standings. Madrid seem to be lacking the firepower up front so far this season, having scored just 14 goals in 10 games, while also conceding 14. A big performance at home this weekend will go some way to dispelling the notion that there was an over-reliance on Cristiano Ronaldo. Valladolid have conceded the second-least number of goals in the league (seven in 10 matches) and Madrid may find it hard to break their steely defence down.
Thabo September: Real Madrid win
Valencia v Girona (LaLiga)
Soccer 6 Pool: Match 4 Soccer 6 Pool 3 November S6 V3 P1
League Rankings: Valencia 14th Girona 11th
Useful facts: Not a lot separates the two teams, as Girona are on 13 points, while Valencia have collected 11 so far. That can only mean one thing: there's all to play for in this encounter! The interesting stat is that Valencia have only lost one game in 10... and drawn eight! Playing in front of their home crowd, they will be hoping that a win on the weekend becomes their starting point to collecting maximum points rather than always settling for one.
Thabo September: Valencia win
Rayo Vallecano v Barcelona (LaLiga)
Soccer 6 Pool: Match 6 Soccer 6 Pool 3 November S6 V3 P1
League Rankings: Rayo Vallecano 19th Barcelona 1st
Useful facts: Its men against boys in this one as rampant Barcelona face a Rayo Vallecano sitting near the foot of the table, having conceded 20 goals in 10 league matches so far. On the back of a morale-boosting and a clinical performance in the El Clasico, the Catalan giants will not want to put a foot wrong so as to attempt to open up a gap between them and the chasing pack in the league table. Luis Suarez, scorer of a hat-trick over the weekend, will look to give the Vallecano defence all sorts of problems. Interestingly, in each of the last two matches between the two sides, Barca have scored five.
Thabo September: Barcelona win
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