The latest iteration of the world-famous El Clasico tie is set to take place this weekend, with runaway league leaders Real Madrid welcoming their arch-rivals Barcelona, who've been on a kick lately. Meanwhile, Villarreal and Atletico Madrid, fresh off their successes in the Champions League against Juventus and Manchester United respectively, will also be in action this weekend as they face Cadiz and Rayo Vallecano, while Sevilla will hope to get back to winning ways when they host Real Sociedad.
Here's all you need to know ahead of matchday 29.
La Liga standings heading into matchday 29
Here's how the table looks ahead of the next round of fixtures.
| Pos. | Team | MP | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | P | Form | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Real Madrid | 32 | 25 | 6 | 1 | 70 | 22 | +48 | 81 | WWWWW | |
| 2 | Barcelona | 32 | 21 | 7 | 4 | 64 | 37 | +27 | 70 | LWWWW | |
| 3 | Girona | 32 | 21 | 5 | 6 | 67 | 40 | +27 | 68 | WLWLW | |
| 4 | Atlético Madrid | 32 | 19 | 4 | 9 | 59 | 38 | +21 | 61 | LWWLL | |
| 5 | Athletic Club | 32 | 16 | 10 | 6 | 52 | 30 | +22 | 58 | DDLWW | |
| 6 | Real Sociedad | 32 | 13 | 12 | 7 | 46 | 34 | +12 | 51 | DDWWW | |
| 7 | Real Betis | 32 | 12 | 12 | 8 | 40 | 38 | +2 | 48 | WWLLL | |
| 8 | Valencia | 32 | 13 | 8 | 11 | 35 | 34 | +1 | 47 | LWWDL | |
| 9 | Villarreal | 32 | 11 | 9 | 12 | 51 | 55 | -4 | 42 | WDLWW | |
| 10 | Getafe | 32 | 9 | 13 | 10 | 38 | 44 | -6 | 40 | DDLWL | |
| 11 | Osasuna | 32 | 11 | 6 | 15 | 37 | 46 | -9 | 39 | LLWLL | |
| 12 | Sevilla | 32 | 9 | 10 | 13 | 41 | 45 | -4 | 37 | WWWLD | |
| 13 | Las Palmas | 32 | 10 | 7 | 15 | 30 | 39 | -9 | 37 | LLLLL | |
| 14 | Deportivo Alavés | 32 | 9 | 8 | 15 | 28 | 38 | -10 | 35 | WLLLW | |
| 15 | Rayo Vallecano | 32 | 7 | 13 | 12 | 27 | 39 | -12 | 34 | WDDWL | |
| 16 | Mallorca | 32 | 6 | 13 | 13 | 26 | 38 | -12 | 31 | LLDWL | |
| 17 | Celta de Vigo | 32 | 7 | 10 | 15 | 37 | 47 | -10 | 31 | WLDWL | |
| 18 | Cádiz | 32 | 4 | 13 | 15 | 22 | 45 | -23 | 25 | LLWLW | |
| 19 | Granada | 32 | 3 | 9 | 20 | 33 | 61 | -28 | 18 | DWLLL | |
| 20 | Almería | 32 | 1 | 11 | 20 | 31 | 64 | -33 | 14 | LDLWD |
La Liga games you won't want to miss on matchday 29
Rayo Vallecano vs Atlético Madrid: With four wins on the spin, and having secured their spot in the quarter-finals of the Champions League, Atletico Madrid will hope to make it five straight wins in La Liga as they look to consolidate their grip on fourth spot. Diego Simeone's side may have no chance to defend their La Liga crown, but they still do have a strong shout when it comes to qualifying for next season's Champions League. In fact, the visitors could temporarily move into third place if they can beat struggling Rayo Vallecano, who've picked up just one point from their last five- especially with Barcelona facing a tough test against Real Madrid.
Cádiz vs Villarreal: Fresh off their resounding 3-0 win over Juventus to dump the Bianconeri out of the Champions League, Villarreal will turn their attention back towards domestic duties as they travel to face relegation-threatened Cadiz.
Celta de Vigo vs Real Betis: Real Betis have seen their form take a slight hit lately, but come into this contest still sitting in the top five of the table. Having ended their two match losing streak with a crucial win last time out, the visitors will look to take advantage of Celta de Vigo's form - which has seen them win just one of their last five - as they still haven't given up hope of playing in the Champions League next season.
Sevilla vs Real Sociedad: Sevilla were once looking like unlikely challengers to Real Madrid for the La Liga title, but that dream has now gone up in smoke. That being said, they still have a great chance to secure a top four finish as they're ahead of notable sides like Atletico Madrid and Barcelona in the league standings. However, after drawing their last two games, Sevilla now find both Los Rojiblancos and the Blaugrana creeping up on them as both are aiming to finish as high in the table as possible. Next up for Sevilla is Real Sociedad, who have also had an impressive season so far and are also hoping to secure Champions League football for next term.
Real Madrid vs Barcelona: Finally, last, but certainly not least, Real Madrid and Barcelona fans, plus quite a few neutrals who just like a good game, will be treated to another installment of the world-famous El Clasico tie. Real Madrid come into this game in brilliant form, having dumped PSG out of the Champions League and cruising along comfortably in La Liga, where Carlo Ancelotti's men boast a ten point lead over the chasing pack. Meanwhile, Barcelona come into this contest having won their last four in La Liga and will be eager to get revenge on their bitter rivals after losing the first leg 2-1 at the Camp Nou earlier this season.
Team news for matchday 29
*All info as of 17 March 2022
Real Madrid: No notable injuries or suspensions
Barcelona: Álex Balde (Ankle injury), Ansu Fati (Hamstring injury), Sergi Roberto (Hamstring injury), Samuel Umtiti (Fractured toe)
Atletico Madrid: Daniel Wass (Ligament injury), Matheus Cunha (Knee injury), Sime Vrsaljko (Muscle injury), Thomas Lemar (Muscle injury)
Sevilla: Papu Gómez (Knock), Gonzalo Montiel (Knock), Karim Rekik (Knock), Fernando (Knock), Diego Carlos (Knock), Suso (Ankle injury)
Real Betis: Martín Montoya (Achilles tendon problems)
Real Sociedad: Nacho Monreal (Knee injury), Ander Barrenetxea (Thigh muscle rupture), Carlos Fernández (Knee injury), Näis Djouahra (Muscle injury)
Villarreal: Paco Alcácer (Muscle injury), Alberto Moreno (Knee injury)
