New strength of La Liga: Osasuna Club sets out to conquer the top

Real Betis host Getafe CF in LaLiga on Thursday, 17 September 2026 at Estadio La Cartuja in Seville, with the 2026/27 campaign already producing a sharp form line: Betis followed a heavy 5-2 defeat at Levante by beating Real Madrid 1-0 and then winning at Lille 2-3 in the Champions League, while Getafe opened with a 1-0 home success over Racing Santander before losing 1-0 at Osasuna and drawing 1-1 with Celta Vigo.

The 2026/27 Betis squad is built around Isco’s creativity, Antony’s wing threat, Pablo Fornals’ delivery, Marc Roca and Aitor Fidalgo in midfield, Marc Bartra and Natan at the back, Rodrigo Riquelme and Abde Ezzalzouli as wide outlets, and Troy Parrott as the pressing forward, while Getafe’s group features David Soria in goal, Kiko Femenía, Djene Dakonam, Johan Mojica, Zaid Romero and Saba Sazonov in defence, Ramón Terrats, Francho Serrano and Orel Mangala in the engine room, and Enes Ünal, Martín Satriano, Borja Mayoral and Nemanja Gudelj as the experienced attacking and rotational core.

Málaga host Villarreal at La Rosaleda on Thursday 17 September 2026 in a LaLiga six-pointer that already feels urgent: both clubs are winless after four rounds and sit on two points, with Málaga propping up the table and Villarreal one place above them. The home side’s most recent league result was a hard-earned 0-0 draw with Levante, but that point cannot hide a blunt attack that has produced too few clear chances for a team trying to survive.

The market still respects Villarreal’s superior individual quality, with European odds around Málaga 3.50, the draw 3.70 and Villarreal 1.91, while Over 2.5 goals is priced near 1.67 and both teams to score around 1.57. Málaga’s confidence took a heavier hit in the previous away day, a 4-0 defeat at Real Madrid, so Juan Funes’ group must be braver in possession and far more compact once the first press is beaten.

Espanyol welcome Elche to the RCDE Stadium on Friday, 18 September 2026, for a LaLiga Round 7 clash that pits two teams at opposite ends of the early 2026/27 table. Manolo González's Espanyol have been one of the surprise packages of the opening weeks, sitting in the European places after an impressive start that included an away victory at Real Sociedad (1-2) and a hard-earned home win over Sevilla (2-1), before grinding out a draw at Osasuna last weekend. Elche, meanwhile, arrive in Cornellà under new Argentine coach Martín Anselmi in deep trouble near the foot of the standings, with their campaign so far featuring a heavy defeat at the hands of Barcelona, a home loss to Real Sociedad, and a narrow 3-2 defeat at Racing Santander (3-2), followed by another setback at Athletic Bilbao (2-0).

Manolo González has built his 2026/27 Espanyol squad around captain Javi Puado and the in-form Roberto Fernández, who already has five league goals and sits among the division's early top scorers. Marko Dmitrović anchors the side in goal, with Fernando Calero, Leandro Cabrera and Carlos Romero forming a settled defensive unit, while Adrià Pedrosa, Pol Lozano, Edu Expósito, Pere Milla, Kike García and Jofre Carreras provide depth across midfield and attack. Elche's rebuilt squad under Anselmi features summer arrival Lomonaco, signed permanently from Independiente on a contract running to 2030, and Lemar, who joined on a season-long loan, alongside Rafa Mir, André Silva, Álvaro Rodríguez, Germán Valera, Tete Morente, Aleix Febas, Marc Aguado, Víctor Chust, Léo Petrot, Pedro Bigas and goalkeeper Matías Dituro.

Athletic Bilbao meet Deportivo Alavés at San Mamés on Saturday, 19 September 2026, with kick-off at 14:15 UTC / 16:15 CEST in Spain’s LaLiga. The hosts are looking to build on a 1-1 draw with Elche and an impressive 3-0 win over Atlético Madrid, while Alavés arrive after a 2-1 defeat at Racing Santander and a high-scoring 5-2 victory over Osasuna. The latest team news favors neither side completely: Athletic are missing Iñaki Williams, Gorka Guruzeta, Peio Canales, Daniel Vivian and Unai Egiluz, while Alavés are without Aitor Mañas, Facundo Garcés and Mikel Rodríguez.

For the 2026/2027 season, Edin Terzić’s Athletic squad features Unai Simón and Padilla in goal; Aitor Paredes, Yeray, Areso, Laporte, Rincón, Yuri and Egiluz in defence; Beñat Prados, Oihan Sancet, Ruiz de Galarreta, Jauregizar, Rego, Gerenabarrena and Canales in midfield; and Álex Berenguer, Iñaki Williams, Nico Williams, Guruzeta, Maroan, Nico Serrano, Navarro and A. Djaló in attack. Quique Sánchez Flores has Antonio Sivera, Adrián Rodríguez and Swiderski available as goalkeepers; Valentini, Koski, Garcés, Enríquez, Tenaglia, Jonny, Hugo Novoa and Abqar among the defenders; Antonio Blanco, Protesoni, Pablo Ibáñez, Aleñá, Guevara, Mikel Rodríguez, Diallo and Denis Suárez in midfield; and Rebbach, Miguel Rodríguez, Ángel Pérez, Toni Martínez, Lucas Boyé, Aitor Mañas and Mariano Díaz as attacking options.

Celta Vigo host Racing Santander at Estadio Abanca Balaídos on Saturday, 19 September 2026, in a LaLiga 2026/2027 meeting that arrives with both camps in very different emotional places. Celta are still searching for their first league win of the young season after twice being held at home, most recently 1-1 by Málaga, and their attack has been productive in bursts but not ruthless enough to turn possession into three points. Racing, back in the top flight and already looking comfortable, travel to Vigo after a resilient 2-1 home win over Alavés in which Yassir Zabiri again showed the penalty-area timing that has made him Racing’s early-season reference point.

The recent form lines tell the story: Celta’s build-up has been patient, but too many moves have ended in hopeful shots rather than clear chances, while Racing have been more direct and braver in transition, even in the narrow 3-2 defeat at Rayo Vallecano. Celta’s 2026/2027 squad is expected to lean on Ionuț Radu in goal, a back line featuring Carl Starfelt and Marcos Alonso, width from Javi Galán and Jones El-Abdellaoui, and the enduring intelligence of Iago Aspas around Pablo Durán and Hugo González. Racing’s corresponding core should include Julen Agirrezabala, Álvaro Mantilla, Facundo González, Manu Hernando and Jorge Salinas, with Sergio Canales, Iñigo Vicente, Matteo Prati, Iván Martín and Pablo García supplying service for Zabiri; Andrés Martín remains a knee-injury doubt for the visitors.

Osasuna host Rayo Vallecano at the Estadio El Sadar in Pamplona on Saturday, 19 September 2026, in a LaLiga EA Sports Round 7 clash that pits two sides in very different moods. The home team sit 11th with 7 points from their opening five fixtures, while Rayo Vallecano are 16th on just 4 points after a difficult start to the 2026/2027 campaign. With European odds placing Osasuna as clear favourites at around 2.25, the draw at 3.30 and an away win at 3.20, the market clearly expects the Navarrese side to make home advantage count in this encounter.

Osasuna's form has been mixed but respectable ahead of this fixture: they were beaten 0-2 by Espanyol last time out at El Sadar and suffered a heavy 5-2 defeat away to Alavés, but they also picked up valuable wins over Getafe and Celta Vigo and a goalless draw with Levante. Vicente Moreno's 2026/2027 squad, built around Sergio Herrera in goal, Enzo Boyomo, Alejandro Catena and Abel Bretones in defence, Lucas Torró and Jon Moncayola in midfield, and veteran striker Ante Budimir — already on two league goals — alongside Rubén García, Raúl García, Romain Del Castillo and Enrique Barja in attack, has enough quality to trouble any mid-table side at home.

Sevilla welcome FC Barcelona to the Estadio Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán on Saturday, 19 September 2026 (21:00 local time) for a mouth-watering LaLiga EA Sports clash. The hosts are still searching for consistency in the 2026/27 campaign, having edged past Valencia by 1-0 last time out but also suffering a heavy home defeat to Atlético Madrid by 1-3 in late August. Barcelona, meanwhile, arrive in Andalusia in irresistible form — Hansi Flick's men have won all six of their competitive matches this season, most recently defeating Levante away by 2-4 at the Ciutat de València thanks to a Lamine Yamal brace, and thrashing Feyenoord by 5-1 in midweek European action.

For Sevilla, the 2026/27 squad under Matías Almeyda will lean heavily on the attacking thrust of Isaac Romero and Dodi Lukébakio, the creativity of Giorgi Kochorashvili in midfield, and the defensive leadership of Loïc Badé and Kike Salas. However, the Andalusians will be without the injured Arouna Sangante and Rubén Vargas, which could leave them short of depth in wide areas. Sevilla's recent home record against Barcelona is poor — the Catalans have dominated this fixture historically — and another disciplined, compact display will be required if they are to avoid being overwhelmed by Barça's high-pressing machine.

The first Madrid derby of the 2026/27 LaLiga season is almost upon us, as Atlético Madrid host Real Madrid at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano on 20 September 2026 in what promises to be a fiery early-season clash. Diego Simeone's side arrive in confident mood after dismantling Real Sociedad 0-3 in San Sebastián, a result that kept them firmly in the hunt near the top of the table. Real Madrid, now under the guidance of José Mourinho in his second spell at the club, have been in devastating attacking form: they brushed aside Rayo Vallecano 4-1, edged past Inter 2-1 in the Champions League, and survived a late scare at Elche to win 2-3 on Tuesday night, a victory that pulled them level on points with Barcelona at the summit.

Both squads for the 2026/27 campaign are stacked with quality, but team news could prove decisive. Atlético have been dealt a major blow with Pablo Barrios ruled a serious doubt after suffering a low-grade myofascial injury to his right leg in the Champions League trip to Liverpool, leaving Simeone to choose between Koke, Morten Hjulmand, Johnny Cardoso and Rodrigo Mendoza in midfield. Simeone's probable eleven features Jan Oblak in goal behind Nahuel Molina, Robin Le Normand and José Giménez, with Marcos Llorente and Giuliano on the flanks supporting Antoine Griezmann, Julián Álvarez and summer signing Jonathan David, who has hit the ground running. Mourinho, meanwhile, can call on Thibaut Courtois; a rebuilt defence of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ibrahima Konaté, Dean Huijsen and Marc Cucurella; a midfield of Federico Valverde and Aurélien Tchouaméni; and a frightening attack led by Kylian Mbappé, Vinícius Júnior, Arda Güler and teenage sensation Yan Diomandé, though Éder Militão, Ferland Mendy and Rodrygo remain unavailable.

Deportivo A Coruna host Real Betis at Riazor on Sunday 20 September 2026 in a LaLiga meeting that pits two of the early-season's most watchable attacks against each other. Deportivo arrive unbeaten in their last three league games after a 3-1 home win over Valencia, a 3-2 away success at Villarreal and a 1-1 draw at Getafe, while Betis have momentum of their own after beating Real Madrid 1-0, recovering from 2-1 down to win 3-2 at Lille in the Champions League and then edging Villarreal 1-2 away in LaLiga.

The 2026/2027 Deportivo squad under Antonio Hidalgo blends experience with loan energy: Leo Roman, German Parreno and Alvaro Fernandez compete in goal; Ximo Navarro, Lucas Noubi, Jose Maria Gimenez, Giacomo Quagliata, Angelino, Adria Altimira and Miguel Loureiro form the defensive core; Diego Villares, Marc Casado, Mario Soriano, Lorenzo Amatucci, Jonathan Asp Jensen and Riki Rodriguez supply midfield control; and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Yeremay Hernandez, Zakaria Eddahchouri, David Mella, Adama Traore and Bil Nsongo lead the line, with Aubameyang's early scoring run the clearest sign that Depor can hurt anyone at Riazor.

Getafe host Málaga at the Coliseum Alfonso Pérez on Sunday, 20 September 2026 in a LaLiga meeting between José Bordalás’ experienced 2026/2027 squad and Juanfran Funes’ newly promoted side, with Málaga back in the top flight after eight years away and Getafe carrying the extra load of a European campaign. The latest European odds price Getafe as favourite at about 2.24, the draw near 3.21 and Málaga around 3.95, but the early-season evidence points to a tight, low-margin game rather than a home procession.

Getafe’s recent league rhythm has been drawn-heavy: they were held 1-1 by Deportivo La Coruña after Ramón Terrats’ opener was cancelled out late, and that followed another 1-1 against Celta Vigo in which Martín Satriano scored before finishing with hamstring cramps. Bordalás is still missing Kiko Femenía with a hamstring tear, Abdel Abqar with a muscle tear and Christantus Uche for the long term, so the spine of David Soria, Djené, Nemanja Gudelj, Orel Mangala and Enes Ünal has to supply the stability that keeps Getafe competitive even when the attack stalls.

Valencia CF welcome Real Sociedad to the Estadio de Mestalla on Sunday, 20 September 2026, in a LaLiga EA SPORTS 2026/27 clash between two sides heading in very different directions. Valencia are in crisis mode after a dismal start left them bottom of the table, a run that cost Carlos Corberán his job on 13 September; caretaker Óscar Sánchez has since steadied the ship slightly with a hard-fought 0-1 win at Alavés on Tuesday, following a painful 1-0 defeat at Sevilla that extended the club's losing streak and sealed the manager's dismissal. Real Sociedad, meanwhile, sit mid-table under Pellegrino Matarazzo at 2-1-2, having bounced back from a 0-0 draw against Celta Vigo with a dramatic late 3-2 victory at Elche in which Luka Sučić struck a 90th-minute winner. The Basques will be confident of extending Valencia's misery, though they were beaten in their last outing by Atlético Madrid.

Squad news for the 2026/27 season paints a worrying picture for the home side. Valencia will rely on captain José Gayà, goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili, defenders César Tárrega and Mouctar Diakhaby, midfielders Javi Guerra and André Almeida, and forwards Hugo Duro, Umar Sadiq and Arnaut Danjuma, with Luis Rioja carrying confidence after his match-winning strike against Alavés. Real Sociedad can call on a deeper and more settled group: captain Mikel Oyarzabal leads the line alongside Takefusa Kubo, Gonçalo Guedes, Orri Óskarsson and in-form youngster Job Ochieng, while Alejandro Remiro, Igor Zubeldia, Jon Martín, Sergio Gómez, Carlos Soler, Yangel Herrera, Ander Barrenetxea and Sučić round out Matarazzo's options. Jon Martín is available again after serving a suspension, although Zubeldia remains a doubt with discomfort. La Real also drew 0-0 with Celta Vigo earlier in the month, showing their defensive resilience even when their attack stalls.

Villarreal vs Levante closes Matchday 7 of the 2026/27 LaLiga season on Sunday, 20 September 2026, at 18:30 CEST in the Estadio de la Cerámica, and the latest news points to a home side needing a response after a bruising run: the Yellow Submarine were beaten 1-2 by Real Betis at home and also fell 3-2 at Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League, so Iñigo Pérez’s men must rediscover the control that deserted them in the final third.

Levante arrive with more encouragement than the table may suggest because their 2-4 home defeat to Barcelona still contained two late goals from Iván Romero and Roger Brugué, while their previous away day at Málaga finished 2-4 in the loss and 0-0 at La Rosaleda; Luís Castro’s rebuilt side has been competitive, but the absence of Karl Etta Eyong with a rectus femoris issue limits one useful counter-attacking option.