Barcelona aiming for new unbeaten mark among records in the mix this LaLiga weekend

LaLiga’s teams return to action this weekend with Barcelona aiming to move a step closer to the 2017/18 title, and plenty more on the line up and down the table.
Leaders Barça will look to set a new all-time LaLiga record of 39 consecutive games unbeaten when they host Valencia at the Camp Nou on Saturday afternoon. But visitors Los Che are on their own hot streak of five straight LaLiga victories, and will provide a stern test for Lionel Messi and company.
Second placed Atletico Madrid defend their undefeated home record at the Wanda Metropolitano on Sunday afternoon, against a Levante team yet to taste defeat since Paco Lopez took over as coach in early March.
Fourth placed Real Madrid go to Malaga Sunday evening having lost just once at La Rosaleda in two decades. However, Los Boquerones are now battling for their LaLiga survival and come into the game having won last time out in front of their home fans.
Two of LaLiga’s most in-form teams meet Friday evening at Montilivi, as Girona’s run of seven wins and a draw in their last eight at home comes up against Real Betis’ six victories in their last eight away games.
Another big clash in the battle for European qualification comes at the Sanchez-Pizjuan on Saturday, with Villarreal looking to avenge their 3-2 defeat earlier to the season by Sevilla in what was one of LaLiga’s games of the season so far.
Real Sociedad’s recently installed coach Imanol Alguacil remains unbeaten after two games in charge of the San Sebastian club, while Las Palmas boss Paco Jemez really needs a first win in 10 outings if his team are to climb out of relegation trouble.
Athletic Club have conceded just nine goals at San Mames all season, where Saturday evening’s visitors Deportivo La Coruña must score for a first time in six away trips if they are to get the three points they require in their battle against the drop.
Leganes will be aiming to notch their eleventh win of the LaLiga season when Celta Vigo come to Butarque on Saturday afternoon. 24 hours later, elsewhere in suburban Madrid, Getafe will look for their tenth shut-out of the campaign against visitors Espanyol at the Coliseum Alfonso Perez.
Sunday afternoon’s Basque derby at Ipurua will see hosts Eibar looking for a first win in six games, while visitors Alaves will be looking for a third consecutive clean sheet.