This is a huge game at both ends of the table in LaLiga with Real Madrid looking to put pressure on Barcelona ahead of their trip to Atletico Madrid later in the day and Mallorca looking to pull themselves away from the drop zone.

Real Madrid have found some form after a rocky period under Arbeloa, winning each of their last five matches and scoring 2+ goals in all of these triumphs. They’ve failed to keep a clean sheet in four of these games, so a narrow victory is unlikely for Madrid given Mallorca’s decent goal output at home (1.5 per game). 

Mallorca have failed to keep a clean sheet in each of their last 15 matches across all competitions, conceding the third most goals in LaLiga this season (47). They’ve conceded 2+ goals in four of their last five matches across all competitions, and have conceded 2+ goals in each of their last three head to head meetings against Real Madrid.

All signs point to Real Madrid scoring at least two goals in this clash, they should be motivated by the fact that they can close the gap in the LaLiga title race to just one point with victory here - putting serious pressure on Barcelona ahead of their clash against Real Madrid’s city rivals. 

This is a pivotal game in the LaLiga title race, Real Madrid take on Mallorca a few hours before this game - and could cut the gap to Barcelona to just one point, making this a near must-win game for Hansi Flick’s side if they want to maintain their lead at the summit of LaLiga.

Barcelona have scored 31 goals across their 14 away games in LaLiga this season (2.21 per game), comfortably more than any other side in the division. Barcelona can’t really play any other way, Hansi Flick has them set up with an outrageous high line which naturally leads to Barcelona being involved in high scoring games.

Atletico Madrid have also opened up a bit this season, moving away from the low block stereotype that defines Simeone’s time at the club. This is shown through their recent matches, Atletico Madrid have conceded 2+ goals in four of their last five matches across all competitions, interestingly managing to win two of these games.

The first league meeting between these two sides ended in a seven goal thriller, with Fortuna Sittard claiming a 4-3 win over Alkmaar. That match produced a combined xG of 5.44, setting the stage for another high scoring affair here with both teams still having plenty to play for.

Alkmaar currently sit sixth in the Eredivisie, but face a real fight to hold onto their spot in the Conference League playoff places, as both Heerenveen and Sparta Rotterdam are level on points with them heading into this fixture. Fortuna Sittard are also within striking distance - a win for the visitors would move them to within four points of Alkmaar.

Fortuna Sittard have seen both teams score in each of their last 13 matches across all competitions. The last side they failed to find the net against was Zwolle back at the end of 2025. This remarkable run suggests Sittard struggle to control games, but almost always carry an attacking threat, which makes it likely both sides will get on the scoresheet again here.

Gary O’Neil has been getting on pretty well at Strasbourg since stepping in to replace Liam Rosenior. He’s only lost two of his 15 matches in charge, and currently boasts his best ever win percentage as a manager (53% - 1.9 points per game).

Strasbourg are usually an entertaining side to watch, they’ve had a few 0-0 draws of late - but that’s more down to how their opponents have set up rather than Strasbourg being a dull watch. They’ve avoided defeat in 10 of their 13 home games in Ligue 1 this term, with these games producing 30 goals (2.30 per game).

The most recent meeting between these sides took place in January and ended in a 1-1 draw. Each of the last seven head to head meetings between the sides have produced 2+ goals, with Nice’s trip to Strasbourg last season ending in a 2-2 draw.

Nice have conceded 27 goals across their 13 away games in Ligue 1 this season (2.07 per game), suggesting that there could be room for Strasbourg to cover this line on their own.

Lens are the first team in some time to actually challenge PSG for the Ligue 1 title. They sit just one point behind the Parisians ahead of this clash, though PSG do have a game in hand on Lens so the away side can’t really afford to drop points here as a bit of daylight for PSG is likely to spell the end of their title charge.

Lens have scored in each of their last 21 matches across all competitions, the last team to keep them out were Metz all the way back at the end of October. This scoring run lines up quite nicely with Lille’s inability to keep a clean sheet at the moment - they’ve failed to keep the opposition out in each of their last five matches across all competitions.

Lens ran out 3-0 winners over Lille when these sides met earlier in the season, generating an xG of 3.54 from their 15 shots on that occasion.