Sunday's La Liga predictions including Atletico Madrid vs. Barcelona

Sevilla vs. Celta Vigo (Sunday, 1.00pm)

La Liga strugglers Celta Vigo will begin life after Rafael Benitez with a trip to Estadio Ramon on Sunday afternoon to take on Sevilla.

Benitez was sacked following Celta's 4-0 loss at Real Madrid last weekend, with the result leaving them 17th in the La Liga table, just two points clear of the relegation zone, while Sevilla sit 14th, six points ahead of 18th-placed Cadiz.

We say: Sevilla 2-1 Celta Vigo

This is a tough match to call, as Sevilla have struggled with consistency this season, and Celta will be hoping for a new manager bounce this weekend. We are expecting a tight match but believe that Sevilla will be able to navigate their way to an important three points.

Las Palmas vs. Almeria (Sunday, 3.15pm)

Both aiming to end tough runs of league form, Las Palmas and Almeria will square off at the Estadio Gran Canaria on Sunday.

With 10 games to go, the visitors remain rooted to the foot of the La Liga table, 14 points adrift of safety, while a slump has seen their hosts drop to ninth spot.

We say: Las Palmas 2-1 Almeria

Las Palmas' confidence will have taken a hit from their recent dip in form, while the visitors will hope to feel a bounce under new management, but still yet to triumph in any of their 28 league games so far, Almeria provide the hosts with a good opportunity to bounce back, and we can only envisage a home victory at the weekend.

Villarreal vs. Valencia (Sunday, 3.15pm)

Villarreal will be aiming to make it four straight wins in La Liga when they welcome Valencia to Estadio de la Ceramica on Sunday afternoon.

The Yellow Submarine's strong form has moved them up into 11th position in the table, boasting 35 points from 28 matches, and they sit five points behind eighth-placed Valencia ahead of this contest.

We say: Villarreal 2-2 Valencia

This has all of the makings of a very interesting match, and we are predicting goals on Sunday. Villarreal are in excellent form, but Valencia will be comfortably the fresher of the two teams, and we are expecting Los Che to claim a share of the spoils this weekend.

Rayo Vallecano vs. Betis (Sunday, 5.30pm)

Real Betis will be aiming to bounce back from successive defeats in Spain's top flight when they continue their campaign away to relegation-threatened Rayo Vallecano on Sunday evening.

The visitors are currently seventh in the table, one point behind sixth-placed Real Sociedad, while Rayo occupy 16th position, four points ahead of 18th-placed Cadiz.

We say: Rayo Vallecano 0-1 Real Betis

Ten years have passed since Rayo managed to overcome Real Betis in Spain's top flight, and we are expecting that run to continue this weekend. The visitors need to bounce back to aid their top-six hopes, and we can see Pellegrini's side navigating their way to a narrow success on Sunday.

Atletico vs. Barcelona (Sunday, 8.00pm)

One of the biggest fixtures on the La Liga schedule will take place at the stunning Wanda Metropolitano stadium on Sunday evening, with Atletico Madrid welcoming Barcelona.

Both sides booked their spot in the quarter-finals of the Champions League earlier this week, with Atletico overcoming Inter Milan on penalties, while Barcelona beat Napoli 4-2 on aggregate.

We say: Atletico Madrid 1-1 Barcelona

Barcelona have not conceded in their last three matches against Atletico, winning each fixture 1-0, but we are struggling to see an away success on Sunday. There has not been a draw between these two sides since May 2021, but we are expecting the points to be shared in a close game this weekend.

> How Barcelona could line up against Atletico Madrid

> Barcelona injury, suspension list vs. Atletico