LaLiga Matchday 33: Barcelona face tough test from in-form Atletico Madrid

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As LaLiga Santander enters Matchday 33, Barcelona will have to put an end to Atletico Madrid's four-game winning streak to keep in the title race, while leaders Real Madrid welcome neighbours Getafe to the Bernabeu. There's also a crucial clash at the bottom of the table, where 18th-placed Mallorca will attempt to reduce the eight-point gap between themselves and Celta Vigo in 17th. Here are this week's key games. 

Barcelona vs Atletico Madrid (Today, 9pm)

With just six games of the LaLiga season remaining, Barcelona sit two points behind title rivals Real Madrid after being held to a draw by Celta Vigo at the weekend. 

Two goals from Luis Suarez, both assisted by Lionel Messi, appeared to have secured the win for the reigning champions, but a precisely placed free-kick late on by Celta’s long-serving striker Iago Aspas saw the game finish 2-2. 

Messi’s contribution means he’s now provided the most assists in LaLiga this season, 17, while being top scorer with 21 goals. 

Atletico Madrid’s 2-1 victory over Alaves was their fourth win in a row, but the stoppage-time penalty conceded by Koke saw the club’s influential captain booked and he’s suspended for the game at Camp Nou. 

An 86th-minute goal from Messi was enough to give Barca the win when these two met at the Wanda Metropolitano in December.

Mallorca v Celta Vigo (Today, 6.30pm)

Time is running out for Mallorca, who have taken just one point from their five games played since LaLiga returned to action. 

The latest setback was a 3-1 defeat at Athletic Bilbao which left Vicente Moreno’s team in 18th place in the table, eight points adrift of today’s opponents Celta Vigo and in real danger of losing their LaLiga status. 

The visitors have been revitalised since the break, with two wins and two draws in their last four games, including a 6-0 drubbing of Alaves and a spirited fightback at home to Barcelona which earned a 2-2 draw. 

When these two sides clashed in Vigo in December, a late goal from Ante Budimir helped Mallorca claim a point despite the team playing the final 12 minutes with 10 men after Antonio Raillo received a red card.     

Real Madrid v Getafe (July 2, 9pm)

Real Madrid moved a step closer to claiming a 34th championship with a 1-0 win at bottom club Espanyol in Matchday 32, thanks to some inventive play from Karim Benzema. 

His backheel pass across the six-yard box just before half-time allowed Casimero to stab home the only goal of the game, returning Real Madrid to the top of the table. 

Getafe achieved their best position in the club’s history last season, finishing fifth in LaLiga, and that’s where they sit right now after a 2-1 win over Real Sociedad in their last match. 

Jaime Mata bagged both goals, making him the club’s leading scorer this campaign with 11. 

Real Madrid have won all five LaLiga matches since the campaign resumed while Getafe are now unbeaten in their last four, but in their 14 previous visits to the Bernabeu they have only celebrated victory once at their Madrid neighbours, in 2007-08.