After an exciting kick-off to the 2022/23 season, La Liga is back in action this week, with the beloved Spanish top-flight ushering in Matchday 2 as early as this Friday.
Getting things underway is Espanyol, with the Catalan outfit hosting Rayo Vallecano in the very-first fixture of this round. However, all eyes will be on the weekend when the country's top dogs take to the field, with Real Madrid being in action on Saturday, locking horns with Celta Vigo in what should be an interesting battle.
The fun continues on to Sunday as Atletico Madrid and Barcelona will play their respective fixtures then. Which team will enjoy this round? Here's everything you need to know about Matchday 2 in La Liga.
League standings ahead of Matchday 2 in La Liga
| Pos. | Team | MP | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | P | Form | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Real Madrid | 32 | 25 | 6 | 1 | 70 | 22 | +48 | 81 | WWWWW | |
| 2 | Barcelona | 32 | 21 | 7 | 4 | 64 | 37 | +27 | 70 | LWWWW | |
| 3 | Girona | 32 | 21 | 5 | 6 | 67 | 40 | +27 | 68 | WLWLW | |
| 4 | Atlético Madrid | 32 | 19 | 4 | 9 | 59 | 38 | +21 | 61 | LWWLL | |
| 5 | Athletic Club | 32 | 16 | 10 | 6 | 52 | 30 | +22 | 58 | DDLWW | |
| 6 | Real Sociedad | 32 | 13 | 12 | 7 | 46 | 34 | +12 | 51 | DDWWW | |
| 7 | Real Betis | 32 | 12 | 12 | 8 | 40 | 38 | +2 | 48 | WWLLL | |
| 8 | Valencia | 32 | 13 | 8 | 11 | 35 | 34 | +1 | 47 | LWWDL | |
| 9 | Villarreal | 32 | 11 | 9 | 12 | 51 | 55 | -4 | 42 | WDLWW | |
| 10 | Getafe | 32 | 9 | 13 | 10 | 38 | 44 | -6 | 40 | DDLWL | |
| 11 | Osasuna | 32 | 11 | 6 | 15 | 37 | 46 | -9 | 39 | LLWLL | |
| 12 | Sevilla | 32 | 9 | 10 | 13 | 41 | 45 | -4 | 37 | WWWLD | |
| 13 | Las Palmas | 32 | 10 | 7 | 15 | 30 | 39 | -9 | 37 | LLLLL | |
| 14 | Deportivo Alavés | 32 | 9 | 8 | 15 | 28 | 38 | -10 | 35 | WLLLW | |
| 15 | Rayo Vallecano | 32 | 7 | 13 | 12 | 27 | 39 | -12 | 34 | WDDWL | |
| 16 | Mallorca | 32 | 6 | 13 | 13 | 26 | 38 | -12 | 31 | LLDWL | |
| 17 | Celta de Vigo | 32 | 7 | 10 | 15 | 37 | 47 | -10 | 31 | WLDWL | |
| 18 | Cádiz | 32 | 4 | 13 | 15 | 22 | 45 | -23 | 25 | LLWLW | |
| 19 | Granada | 32 | 3 | 9 | 20 | 33 | 61 | -28 | 18 | DWLLL | |
| 20 | Almería | 32 | 1 | 11 | 20 | 31 | 64 | -33 | 14 | LDLWD |
Top games to watch on Matchday 2 in La Liga
Celta Vigo vs Real Madrid
Two teams who endured unimpressive starts to the Spanish top-flight campaign lock horns in this tie as title holders Real Madrid prepare to visit Celta Vigo this weekend. While both teams struggled in the opening round, it should be noted that Los Blancos triumphed, beating newly-promoted Almeria 2-1. However, the defending champions did not put on a befitting display and needed goals from Lucas Vasquez and David Alaba to secure that comeback victory.
Meanwhile, the hosts were forced to come away from Matchday 1 with a single point despite going 2-0 up against Espanyol. Aspas and Co. went on to throw away that two-nil lead in the final 20 minutes, conceding first in the 72nd minute before letting in the equalizer in the eighth minute of stoppage time. Additionally, Os Celestes haven't beaten Los Merengues since 2014. However, should Ancelotti's side repeat their performance from last week, then the hosts might just have a shot.
Atletico vs Villarreal
Madrid's other heavyweight will take to the field a day later, with Atletico gearing up to face Villarreal on Sunday. Unlike Los Blancos, Simeone's men put on a show last week, beating Getafe comfortably in the opening round. Los Rojiblancos shipped three past their opponents while maintaining a clean sheet, with Morata grabbing a brace and Griezmann also getting on the scoresheet. Will Villarreal be their next victim?
Unai Emery's side enjoyed a brilliant campaign in the UEFA Champions League last season, going all the way to the semifinals, beating Juventus and Bayern Munich en route to the last four. However, in La Liga, the Yellow Submarine finished seventh and thus missed out on even Europa League football. A better campaign is necessary and last week, they got things off to the best start, beating Real Valladolid 3-0. Atletico, however, will be a whole different test for the visitors.
Real Sociedad vs Barcelona
The Blaugrana will be back in action this Sunday as Xavi's men go in search of their first win of the season. Their opening fixture saw them welcome Rayo Vallecano to the Camp Nou and despite fielding both Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha, their marquee summer signings, the Catalan giants could only muster a goalless draw. Jules Kounde could join up with the squad for this weekend, meaning another possible debut for Barcelona, but it remains to be seen whether they will jell in time to beat Real Sociedad.
La Real, on the other hand, enjoyed victory in the opening round of the 2022/23 season, but even Isak and Co. did not blow away their opposition. Takefusa Kubo – yes, that Takefusa Kubo – scored the only goal for Real Sociedad to help them to a lovely victory. Unfortunately, their record against Barcelona hasn't been great lately, losing all of their last six encounters with the Catalan outfit.
Who's out for Matchday 2 in La Liga?
Real Madrid: They have a fully-fit squad
Atletico: Jose Gimenez (sidelined); Felipe (suspended)
Villarreal: Alberto Moreno and Arnaut Danjuma (injured); Etienne Capoue (suspended)
Real Sociedad: Mikel Oyarzabal, Carlos Fernandez, Alex Sola, and Martin Merquelanz (all inured)
Barcelona: Sergio Busquets (suspended)
Sevilla: Tecatito (injured)
