Twists, tests & tension — 5 LaLiga games that could define both the title and relegation races this weekend

The 2025/26 LALIGA season matchday 12 is packed with important fixtures, with the top two sides facing tricky away days and several crucial battles near the relegation and European spots.

Pulse Sports Nigeria takes you through the five (5) things to look out for this weekend.

All eyes will be on the dugout at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan. Super Eagles duo Akor Adam and Chidera Ejuke’s Sevilla, currently sitting 13th in the table with 13 points after 11 games, are on a worrying run.

The club has lost three consecutive league games since their major win against FC Barcelona, where Adam came off the bench to shine.

The Stakes: Coach Matías Almeyda is under significant pressure. A failure to secure three points against 15th-placed CA Osasuna (who have 11 points) could escalate the crisis and potentially put Almeyda's job at risk.

A win is essential to stop the slide and keep the club from drifting closer to the relegation zone (currently 4 points clear).

League leaders Real Madrid, despite having a strong overall season (30 points and a +16 goal difference), face a historical challenge in the capital city derby against Rayo Vallecano.

Xabi Alonso’s Real Madrid have only won one of their last five visits to Vallecas in the league. The last two visits to Rayo's home ground resulted in a 3-3 draw (Dec 2024) and a 3-2 loss (November 2022).

The Task: Rayo Vallecano, sitting mid-table with 14 points, are a notoriously difficult side to play at home. Alonso's team needs a victory to maintain their five-point advantage over 2nd-placed FC Barcelona and avoid handing their rivals a lifeline.

This clash is a key fixture in the battle for European qualification. Third-placed Villarreal CF (23 points) travel to face sixth-placed RCD Espanyol (18 points).

El Submarino Amarillo have a superb recent record against the Periquitos, having won their past five league matches against RCD Espanyol.

Both teams have been among the league's top scorers. The result here could either see Villarreal consolidate their Champions League spot or allow Espanyol to narrow the gap to the top four. The fixture promises goals, as both teams are known for their attacking flair.

FC Barcelona faces a challenging test against RC Celta at Balaídos, a venue known for producing thrilling, high-scoring affairs, coming after a cracking six-goal thriller in the Champions League.

The Goal Frenzy: Over the past five seasons, the meetings between these two clubs in Vigo have been highly entertaining, producing an average of 3.8 goals scored per game.

In those five matches in Vigo, the record stands at two Barcelona wins, one RC Celta win, and two draws.

RC Celta, with just 13 points but coming off a recent win, will be hoping for a repeat of their solitary victory in this run. Barcelona, meanwhile, need a win to keep the pressure on Real Madrid and avoid losing more ground at the top of the table.

Real Sociedad are on a roll, with three straight wins across all competitions. They visit Elche CF on Friday night looking to continue their momentum and climb the table from their current 14th position.

La Real will seek another three-point haul against a solid Elche side (9th place, 14 points), who are currently enjoying a surprisingly good start to the season for a promoted club.

As the opening game of the matchday, a win for Real Sociedad will put them on 15 points and apply immediate pressure on the teams above them in the hunt for a European qualification spot.