The 2019-20 La Liga season will restart on June 11, more than three months since the campaign was suspended due the coronavirus outbreak, which halted the majority of football across the globe.
Every team has played 27 times in Spain's top flight this term, meaning that all 20 sides have 11 matches to play in the coming weeks, with the season expected to finish in the middle of July.
There is still a lot to be decided in terms of the title, top-four battle and fight to remain in the division, and a recap of the events during the 2019-20 campaign is available to view here.
With that in mind, Sports Mole has put together a list of the best matches to look out for between now and the end of the season.
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Sevilla vs. Real Betis (Thursday, June 11)
The La Liga season will resume with a cracker on Thursday night as Sevilla face Real Betis in the Seville derby. The home side are currently third in the table and on course for their highest finish in Spain's top flight since the 2008-09 campaign. Sevilla have actually only claimed a top-four finish in one of their last nine seasons and will be determined to put three points on the board when they return to action.
Betis do not have too much to fight for at this stage of the campaign as they sit 12th, 12 points off the top six. Matches between these two sides are always special, though, and the Green and Whites will be keen to gain revenge having suffered a 2-1 defeat in the reverse match earlier this season.
Valencia vs. Levante (Friday, June 12)
Another derby, 'Derby del Turia', will take place on Friday evening as Valencia welcome Levante. The rivalry dates back to 1963 and will be an important game for Valencia as they look to put themselves in the argument for a top-four finish. As it stands, Los Che are seventh in the table, four points off fourth-placed Real Sociedad.
Levante have perhaps already done enough to stay in the league as they are eight points ahead of the relegation zone, although they will be determined to get one over on their rivals when the pair lock horns.
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Real Madrid vs. Valencia (Thursday, June 18)
Madrid and Valencia are due to face off on June 18, and there is no playing down the importance of the contest. Indeed, Los Blancos are only two points off leaders Barcelona as it stands and are likely to have to put together a winning run if they are to stay in touch with the reigning champions heading into the final straight.
Valencia, as mentioned, are still hoping to secure a top-four finish, and Los Che are unbeaten in their last two La Liga matches with Zidane's side, picking up a point at the Mestalla earlier this season and recording a 2-1 victory over the capital giants in April 2019.
Sevilla vs. Barcelona (Friday, June 19)
One of the standout fixtures between now and the end of the season will take place on June 19 as Sevilla welcome Barca. As mentioned, Julen Lopetegui's side have enjoyed an impressive season to date and will be determined to hold onto third spot, or at least ensure that they finish in the top four.
Barca are locked in a title race with Madrid, meanwhile, and it could be a defining couple of days as Los Blancos take on Valencia 24 hours before. Barca have won their last three league meetings with Sevilla, who have actually not beaten the Catalan giants in Spain's top flight since October 2015.
Real Mallorca vs. Leganes (Friday, June 19)
A true relegation six-pointer is due to take place on June 19 as Real Mallorca welcome Leganes. As it stands, the former are 18th in the table, two points clear of the latter in 19th.
The picture could have changed before the two teams take to the field as 20th-placed Espanyol will hope to be in a better position, but it would be fair to assume that Mallorca and Leganes will both be battling for their lives in the final weeks of the campaign as the threat of relegation looms large.
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Espanyol vs. Real Madrid (Sunday, June 27)
Espanyol, who are currently bottom of the table, will welcome Madrid on June 27. Barca will be hoping that their Catalan rivals can pick up a big result as Los Blancos are firmly in the title race at this stage.
Madrid have won 12 of their last 13 league games against Espanyol, although the White and Blues recorded a 1-0 victory in this fixture as recently as February 2018.
Barcelona vs. Atletico Madrid (Tuesday, June 30)
It is difficult to predict exactly what the table will look like heading into July, but it would probably be fair to assume that Barca will still be battling Madrid for first position in the table. Atletico will also have hoped to have worked their way into the top four as the teams head into the final straight.
Matches between Barca and Atletico are always special, and the Catalan giants will be looking to continue their excellent league run over Diego Simeone's side. Indeed, Atletico have not beaten Barca in La Liga since February 2010 and suffered a 1-0 loss at the Wanda Metropolitano back in December.
Barcelona vs. Espanyol (Tuesday, July 7)
The Derbi Barceloni will take place on July 7 as Barca welcome Espanyol to Camp Nou. The two teams have locked horns on 171 occasions in Spain's top flight, with Barca leading the head-to-head record 99 wins to Espanyol's 34, with the remaining 38 games finishing level.
Espanyol are currently bottom of La Liga and facing a battle to avoid relegation for the first time since 1993, while Barca are chasing another league title. Quique Setien's side will be the huge favourites, but there are likely to be some strange results in the coming weeks due to the circumstances surrounding the restart.
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Atletico Madrid vs. Real Sociedad (Saturday, July 18)
Atletico will face Sociedad on the final weekend of the 2019-20 La Liga season, and there is a chance that it could be decisive when it comes to the top-four battle. As it stands, Atletico are sixth in La Liga, one point behind fourth-placed Sociedad, who have won more league matches (14) than every side other than Barca (18) and Madrid (16) during the current campaign.
Sociedad recorded a 2-0 victory in the reverse match earlier this season, but Atletico ran out 2-0 winners when they last met at the Wanda Metropolitano in March 2019.
Espanyol vs. Celta Vigo (Saturday, July 18)
Two teams currently battling to remain in the division are due to face off on the final weekend of the season, and there is certainly a chance that it could be decisive in terms of remaining in the league.
Espanyol are the team with serious work to do as they are six points off Celta as things stand, but a lot of football will take place before this match on July 18.
Sevilla vs. Valencia (Saturday, July 18)
As mentioned, both Sevilla and Valencia have top-four ambitions this season, and their clash on July 18 could have a big say on one or both potentially missing out on a Champions League finish.
The two teams played out a 1-1 draw at the Mestalla earlier this season, but Valencia won the corresponding game at the Estadio Ramon 1-0 courtesy of a penalty from Dani Parejo.
Matt Law
