Sunday's La Liga predictions including Athletic Bilbao vs. Barcelona

Mallorca vs. Real Sociedad (Sunday, 1.00pm)

Top-four hopefuls Real Sociedad will be bidding to end a four-game winless run in all competitions when they resume their La Liga campaign away to Mallorca on Sunday afternoon.

The away side are currently fourth in the table, three points ahead of fifth-placed Real Betis, while Mallorca occupy 10th position, collecting 31 points from their 24 matches during a solid season.

We say: Mallorca 1-1 Real Sociedad

This is a really tough match for Real Sociedad off the back of an energy-zapping contest in Rome. Mallorca's recent form has been disappointing, but we believe that the home team will have enough quality to claim a share of the spoils in Sunday's affair.

Sevilla vs. Almeria (Sunday, 3.15pm)

Sevilla will be looking to build on their Europa League victory over Fenerbahce when they resume their La Liga campaign at home to fellow strugglers Almeria on Sunday afternoon.

The home side are currently 17th in the table, level on points with 18th-placed Almeria, with both teams firmly involved in the relegation battle at this stage of the campaign.

We say: Sevilla 1-0 Almeria

This is a huge match at the bottom of the table, and it will be fascinating to see what occurs on Sunday. Almeria will be the fresher of the two teams, but they have been so disappointing on their travels this season, and we are backing Sevilla to have enough quality to secure a huge three points this weekend.

Villarreal vs. Betis (Sunday, 5.30pm)

Arguably the pick of the matches in Spain's top flight this weekend will take place on Sunday evening, with sixth-placed Villarreal welcoming fifth-placed Real Betis.

Both teams were in European action on Thursday night, with Villarreal drawing 1-1 away to Anderlecht in the first leg of their last-16 clash in the Europa Conference League, while Betis suffered a 4-1 defeat away to Manchester United in the first leg of their last-16 contest in the Europa League.

We say: Villarreal 1-1 Real Betis

This is a really difficult match to call, especially as the two teams will be entering the contest off the back of European fixtures. There is not an awful lot between the two sides in terms of quality, and we are expecting a very close match, with the points ultimately being shared on Sunday night.

Athletic Bilbao vs. Barcelona (Sunday, 8.00pm)

Barcelona will be bidding to make it three straight wins in all competitions when they continue their La Liga campaign against Athletic Bilbao at San Mames on Sunday night.

Xavi's side are currently top of the table, nine points clear of second-placed Real Madrid, while Athletic occupy ninth, four points behind sixth-placed Villarreal in the race for European football.

We say: Athletic Bilbao 1-2 Barcelona

Barcelona should be fresh entering this match, having not been involved in a midweek fixture, while the returns of Gavi and Lewandowski are key for the Catalan side. Athletic are certainly capable of picking up a positive result, but we just have a feeling that the visitors will shade this game on Sunday night.

> How Barcelona could line up against Athletic Bilbao