LaLiga Matchday 26 Preview: Real Madrid host Atletico; In-form Alaves ready for Barcelona

Real Madrid vs Sevilla FC is the blockbuster fixture of Matchday 26, especially because it will be Sergio Ramos' return to his former home, yet there are several other interesting storylines to follow this weekend as well, such as FC Barcelona's tough test against Getafe CF and Girona FC's first home game in three weeks.

The matchday starts with a bang, as Real Sociedad and Villarreal CF face off in San Sebastián on Friday night. When they met earlier in the season, La Real secured a very impressive 3-0 win, with all their goals coming in the final 10 minutes of the first half. At home, Imanol Alguacil's squad will hope to complete a double, although Villarreal CF are unbeaten in five.

There are four fixtures on Saturday and the first is Granada CF vs Valencia CF. Los Che are hoping to qualify for Europe this season, but haven't won at the Nuevo Estadio de Los Cármenes since 2017 and will hope to change that this weekend.

Next up is FC Barcelona vs Getafe CF and Xavi will know just how tough a test this could be. Of his four matches against Los Azulones since taking over as coach of Barça, Xavi has had just one win and three draws, including on the opening weekend of this season. It promises to be another close game at the Estadi Olímpic.

Deportivo Alavés' Mendizorroza stadium has been one of the most atmospheric in all of LALIGA EA SPORTS this season and it should be packed again for the visit of RCD Mallorca on Saturday evening, a game where the Basque side will hope to move even closer to safety.

On Saturday night, the action moves to the south of Spain as UD Almería host Atlético de Madrid. The Andalusian side are still seeking their first win of the campaign, but they did make life difficult for Atleti in their