Sunday's La Liga predictions including Villarreal vs. Real Madrid

Athletic Bilbao vs. Sevilla (Sunday, 6.00pm)

Sevilla will look to bounce back from consecutive defeats when they travel to San Mames for Sunday's La Liga clash with Athletic Bilbao.

Like their opponents, the Basque side will also be looking for a positive response after falling to a narrow loss in their midweek outing against Celta Vigo.

We say: Athletic Bilbao 2-2 Sevilla

Athletic have proven to be a strong force at San Mames this season, but after drawing four of their last five home matches, we think they could be held to another draw in their final home game of the 2023-24 campaign.

Atletico vs. Osasuna (Sunday, 6.00pm)

Atletico Madrid will be bidding to make it five straight wins in Spain's top flight when they face Osasuna in their penultimate match of the campaign on Sunday evening.

Diego Simeone's side are fourth in the La Liga table and already guaranteed a spot in next season's Champions League, while Osasuna occupy 13th spot, boasting 41 points from their 36 matches.

We say: Atletico Madrid 2-0 Osasuna

It is 10 years since Osasuna last beat Atletico in La Liga, and we are expecting a 12th straight success for the capital outfit in this fixture. Simeone's side have been so strong at home this season, and it is difficult to see anything other than a routine success for the Red and Whites on Sunday.

Barcelona vs. Rayo Vallecano (Sunday, 6.00pm)

Barcelona will be aiming to secure second spot in the La Liga table when they welcome Rayo Vallecano to Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys in their penultimate match of the season on Sunday night.

Xavi's side are currently second, four points ahead of third-placed Girona, while Rayo sit 15th, six points clear of 18th-placed Cadiz and with a vastly superior goal difference.

We say: Barcelona 2-1 Rayo Vallecano

Rayo's recent record against Barcelona is very impressive, and it would not be a surprise to see them claim another positive result this weekend. Rayo should have enough to stay in the division regardless of their final two results, though, and we are expecting Barcelona to navigate their way to all three points on Sunday.

> How Barcelona could line up against Rayo Vallecano

> Barcelona injury update vs. Rayo Vallecano - Ronald Araujo return date

Betis vs. Real Sociedad (Sunday, 6.00pm)

On Sunday, Real Betis will welcome Real Sociedad to the Benito Villamarin for a crucial contest in the battle to secure Europa League qualification.

Having collected 56 points from 36 matches, Los Verdiblancos will head into the weekend in seventh place in La Liga, while Real Sociedad are sitting one point ahead in sixth position.

We say: Real Betis 1-1 Real Sociedad

Real Betis have drawn three of their last four league meetings with Real Sociedad, and with little to choose between the two sides, we think the two sides could produce another drawn scoreline in Sunday's contest.

Cadiz vs. Las Palmas (Sunday, 6.00pm)

Cadiz will attempt to send their survival fight to the final day of the season when they play host to Las Palmas in Sunday's La Liga contest.

The Andalusian side are languishing in 18th position and four points adrift from safety, while the 14th-placed visitors enjoy a six-point cushion over their opponents.

We say: Cadiz 2-0 Las Palmas

The pressure will be on Cadiz due to their perilous position, but the Andalusian club have risen to the occasion in the last two matches, and we think they will produce another strong performance to claim a crucial win against an out-of-form Las Palmas side.

Mallorca vs. Almeria (Sunday, 6.00pm)

Aiming to guarantee their La Liga survival with a game to spare, Mallorca will play host to Almeria in the penultimate round of league matches on Sunday.

The hosts currently lead the bottom three in the Spanish top-flight table by four points with six left to fight for, while their visitors have already been condemned to relegation and will aim to keep any hopes alive of moving off the foot of the division.

We say: Mallorca 2-0 Almeria

While Almeria have improved under Pepe Mel and have continued to show resilience following the confirmation of their relegation, Mallorca should have too much for the visitors on home turf with the chance to put any threat of relegation to bed.

Granada vs. Celta Vigo (Sunday, 6.00pm)

With the chance to guarantee their La Liga survival ahead of the final day of the season, Celta Vigo will travel to Los Carmenes to meet already-relegated Granada on Sunday.

The visitors lead the bottom three by five points with two games left to play thanks to a victory last time out, while their visitors cannot climb any higher than 19th and will bid to stay clear of basement side Almeria.

We say: Granada 0-2 Celta Vigo

With much more to fight for and more quality throughout their ranks, having also rebuilt confidence with an upturn in form, we back Celta Vigo to be too strong for their relegated hosts on Sunday and see Giraldez's men sealing their safety with a win on the road.

Valencia vs. Girona (Sunday, 6.00pm)

Girona's battle to finish above Barcelona in second spot in the La Liga table will continue on Sunday evening, when they head to Mestalla to tackle an out-of-form Valencia outfit.

The visitors are currently third, four points behind second-placed Barcelona with two games left, while Valencia sit ninth and can no longer secure European football for the 2024-25 campaign.

We say: Valencia 1-1 Girona

This is shaping up to be a fascinating clash, and Valencia will fancy their chances at home despite their recent run of form. Girona are already guaranteed a top-four spot, and we are expecting the points to be shared in a close match on Sunday evening.

Villarreal vs. Real Madrid (Sunday, 6.00pm)

La Liga champions Real Madrid will be bidding to make it 10 straight wins in Spain's top flight when they take on European-chasing Villarreal at Estadio de la Ceramica on Sunday evening.

Real Madrid were confirmed as title winners at the start of May and are now building towards the Champions League final, while Villarreal still have a chance of finishing seventh in the table.

We say: Villarreal 1-1 Real Madrid

Villarreal have only lost one of their last five La Liga games with Real Madrid and actually triumphed in both league fixtures between the two sides last term.

Real Madrid will not be at full strength for this contest, and taking into account Villarreal's form, we are expecting the Yellow Submarine, even with their injury problems, to be good enough for at least a point.

> How Real Madrid could line up against Villarreal

> Real Madrid injury update vs. Villarreal - Aurelien Tchouameni return date