Saturday's La Liga predictions including Barcelona vs. Real Betis

Elche vs. Rayo Vallecano (Saturday, 3.15pm)

Elche will be looking to keep their hopes of staying in La Liga alive, mathematically at least, when they welcome Rayo Vallecano to Estadio Manuel Martinez Valero on Saturday afternoon.

The home side are rock bottom of the table, 18 points from the safety of 17th position, while Rayo occupy ninth, four points behind sixth-placed Villarreal in the race for European spots.

We say: Elche 0-2 Rayo Vallecano

Elche are heading back down to the Segunda Division for the 2023-24 campaign, and this will be a very difficult match against a Rayo side pushing towards the top six. We are actually expecting this to be a comfortable victory for the visitors, who were excellent against Barcelona last time out.

Real Madrid vs. Almeria (Saturday, 5.30pm)

Real Madrid will be bidding to bounce back from their midweek defeat to Girona when they resume their La Liga campaign at home to Almeria on Saturday night.

Los Blancos remain second in the table, 11 points behind leaders Barcelona on the same number of matches (31), while Almeria sit 15th, three points clear of the relegation zone entering the final straight.

We say: Real Madrid 3-1 Almeria

Almeria, despite their victory last time out, have found it difficult on their travels this season, and they will be taking on a Real Madrid side looking to bounce back from a loss. The hosts will again be missing some key players, but we are expecting them to record their 21st league victory of the campaign on Saturday.

> How Real Madrid could line up against Almeria

> Real Madrid injury, suspension list vs. Almeria

Barcelona vs. Betis (Saturday, 8.00pm)

Barcelona will be aiming to return to winning ways in La Liga when they continue their domestic campaign at home to top-four challengers Real Betis on Saturday night.

Xavi's side suffered a 2-1 loss at Rayo Vallecano on Wednesday but are still 11 points clear of second-placed Real Madrid at the top of the table on the same number of matches (31), while Real Betis sit fifth, six points behind fourth-placed Real Sociedad in the race for a top-four spot.

We say: Barcelona 2-1 Real Betis

Real Betis are more than capable of picking up a positive result on Saturday, but Barcelona will be determined to bounce back from their loss at Rayo. It would not be a surprise to see the points shared in this match, but we just have a feeling that Xavi's side will navigate their way to a huge three points.

> How Barcelona could line up against Real Betis

> Barcelona injury, suspension list vs. Real Betis