LaLiga 2022-23: Two matches that will be key to the title, Champions League and relegation

Real Madrid, Valencia CF, Real Betis and FC Barcelona all feature in midweek games, playing the fixtures that were moved from the week of the Spanish Super Cup.

When the Spanish Super Cup was held from January 11th to 15th, there were a couple of LaLiga Santander matches that had to be moved and now those four teams will face each other in a mini round of midweek action. Real Madrid, FC Barcelona, Real Betis and Valencia CF will now play the postponed league fixtures over the coming days.

There is a lot to look forward to as four of the biggest clubs in the league square off on Wednesday and Thursday, the first two days of February. They are four of the strongest teams in Spain, as evidenced by the success they enjoyed last season, when two finished as winners and runners-up of LaLiga Santander, while the other pair made it to the 2022 Copa del Rey final.

Now, at this time of the year when midweek duels are even more attractive, we’ll see Real Betis host FC Barcelona and Real Madrid welcome Valencia CF to the capital.

Real Betis vs FC Barcelona: Los Béticos look to end their poor home record against Barça

FC Barcelona approach their midweek fixture with a boost, as Robert Lewandowski is back after completing a three-match suspension, during which time Los Blaugranas managed to earn three victories. This means they’re already guaranteed to be the winter champions. For their part, Real Betis come into this game in the midst of a battle to qualify for the Champions League. Los Béticos will hope to take advantage of the passion of their home crowd to beat FC Barcelona and add three key points towards their goal.

That said, it’s curious that these two clubs each won once in their head-to-head meetings last season, but each side won away from home. In fact, Los Verdiblancos have not won a home league game against the Catalan club since 2008.

It should be an interesting duel as these are two teams with a similar idea of how to play the game, with two coaches, Xavi and Manuel Pellegrini, preferring a style of football that focuses on possession and attack. Those styles clashed just a month ago when they met in the Spanish Super Cup, as the two teams went back and forth and ultimately needed penalties to decide the game, at which point Barça triumphed.

Real Madrid vs Valencia CF: Voro is back after Gattuso’s departure

On Thursday, the midweek action continues as another of the postponed games is held in Madrid, where Real Madrid will face Valencia CF at the Santiago Bernabéu. Both teams are keen to get back to winning ways, after Los Blancos drew at home last time out against Real Sociedad, dropping two points that left them further behind FC Barcelona in the fight to finish top of the LaLiga Santander table.

Meanwhile, Valencia CF are experiencing some turbulent times and Voro will take charge of this match following the departure of Gennaro Gattuso. This is the eighth time that the club’s 'fire extinguisher' will take temporary charge of the first team following the exit of a manager, with his most recent experience in the dugout coming over the last four games of the 2020/21 season, in which he oversaw two wins, one draw and one defeat.

Not for the first time, Voro will have to try to end a poor run of form. Valencia CF have gone four games without a win and are just one point off the relegation places in the standings, aware that they need to climb higher up the table as soon as possible.

Taking three points away from the Bernabéu would be a major boost for Valencia CF and they did recently push Real Madrid to the limit in the Spanish Super Cup semi-final, another match that was decided on penalties. So, this midweek clash at the Santiago Bernabéu could be a very interesting and evenly matched game, closing out this mini round of midweek action, one that boasts a lot of quality.