Two weeks have gone by in the 2022-23 La Liga season, and things are starting to heat up among the usual title contenders.
Atlético have not been as impressive as in recent campaigns, but Real Madrid and Barcelona completed a couple of convincing wins last time out, giving fans hope for more when they take the pitch this weekend. Added to them, the real story behind this start in La Liga has to include Villarreal, the current league leaders who are yet to concede a goal.
Things will get underway with a couple of fixtures this Friday, but the real nail-biters will come on Sunday, as the Yellow Submarine, Los Culés, and the defending champions take the pitch to try and secure more points for their cause.
Here's everything you need to know about the upcoming weekend in La Liga.
League standings ahead of Matchday 3 in La Liga
| Pos. | Team | MP | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | P | Form | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Real Madrid | 34 | 27 | 6 | 1 | 74 | 22 | +52 | 87 | WWWWW | |
| 2 | Girona | 35 | 23 | 6 | 6 | 75 | 44 | +31 | 75 | DWWWL | |
| 3 | Barcelona | 34 | 22 | 7 | 5 | 70 | 43 | +27 | 73 | LWLWW | |
| 4 | Atlético Madrid | 34 | 21 | 4 | 9 | 63 | 39 | +24 | 67 | WWLWW | |
| 5 | Athletic Club | 34 | 17 | 10 | 7 | 55 | 33 | +22 | 61 | WLDDL | |
| 6 | Real Sociedad | 34 | 14 | 12 | 8 | 48 | 35 | +13 | 54 | WLDDW | |
| 7 | Real Betis | 34 | 13 | 13 | 8 | 43 | 39 | +4 | 52 | WDWWL | |
| 8 | Valencia | 34 | 13 | 8 | 13 | 37 | 39 | -2 | 47 | LLLWW | |
| 9 | Villarreal | 34 | 12 | 9 | 13 | 56 | 58 | -2 | 45 | LWWDL | |
| 10 | Getafe | 34 | 10 | 13 | 11 | 41 | 47 | -6 | 43 | LWDDL | |
| 11 | Deportivo Alavés | 35 | 11 | 9 | 15 | 34 | 40 | -6 | 42 | DWWWL | |
| 12 | Sevilla | 34 | 10 | 11 | 13 | 45 | 46 | -1 | 41 | WDWWW | |
| 13 | Osasuna | 34 | 11 | 6 | 17 | 37 | 51 | -14 | 39 | LLLLW | |
| 14 | Las Palmas | 34 | 10 | 7 | 17 | 30 | 43 | -13 | 37 | LLLLL | |
| 15 | Celta de Vigo | 34 | 8 | 10 | 16 | 40 | 52 | -12 | 34 | WLWLD | |
| 16 | Rayo Vallecano | 34 | 7 | 13 | 14 | 27 | 43 | -16 | 34 | LLWDD | |
| 17 | Mallorca | 34 | 6 | 14 | 14 | 27 | 40 | -13 | 32 | LDLLD | |
| 18 | Cádiz | 34 | 4 | 14 | 16 | 23 | 49 | -26 | 26 | LDLLW | |
| 19 | Granada | 34 | 4 | 9 | 21 | 36 | 64 | -28 | 21 | LWDWL | |
| 20 | Almería | 34 | 2 | 11 | 21 | 33 | 67 | -34 | 17 | WLLDL |
Top games to watch on Matchday 3 in La Liga
Real Betis vs Osasuna
Two teams with a perfect record will kick off all the action this weekend in what could be one of the best matches. The hosts have scored five times in the tournament, and even if they have struggled to register new players, Manuel Pellegrini's team seems as solid as ever. On the other hand, Los Rojillos have relied on Chimy Avila's goalscoring skills to win two games so far, and while they may seem as the underdog in this clash, the team led by Jagoba Arrasate could shock the entire league and carry on with their perfect streak.
Getafe vs Villarreal
The current league leaders will play their third game away from home this season, and they will try to make it three wins in a row against a team with the slowest start of the campaign. Los Azulones have conceded six times this season while their players have only managed to score once, which may seem to place them as the major underdogs for this match. Added to that, Villarreal have won all of their last six games against Getafe, and even if all streaks must come to an end, the current momentum for the Yellow Submarine could be enough to carry them through this clash.
Barcelona vs Real Valladolid
The Blaugrana side had a woeful performance in their first home game of the season, and they will be eager to clean that image this weekend when they play against Valladolid, a team that has only earned one point this season. Los Culés dazzled every team in La Liga with their convincing win against Real Sociedad last weekend, and it seems that their first win of the season at home could be on the way this Sunday. The Pucela side earned their only point away from home, but this time it does not seem likely for them to steal points away from Camp Nou Stadium.
Espanyol vs Real Madrid
The defending champions play their third away match against Espanyol, one of the teams that is yet to win a match this season. Los Blancos are still adjusting to life after Casemiro, but their record against Los Periquitos (only two losses in their last four games) hint that this could be a good game for Ancelotti's men. On the other side, Espanyol will want to win their second match in a row when facing Los Blancos at home, but their unflattering start of the season makes us believe that they will not have an easy time facing the 2021-22 La Liga winners in front of their own supporters.
Who's in and out for Matchday 3 in La Liga?
Atletico - Suspended: Nahuel Molina.
Barcelona - Doubtful: Sergiño Dest, Jules Koundé.
Real Betis - Injured: Martín Montoya, Víctor Camarasa. Doubtful: Youssouf Sabaly, Sergio Canales, Víctor Ruiz.
Real Madrid - Doubtful: Rodrygo.
Sevilla - Injured: Tecatito. Suspended: Marcos Acuña. Doubtful: Suso.
Villarreal - Injured: Alberto Moreno. Doubtful: Arnaut Danjuma.
