The Catalan giants edged Girona to an important 1-0 victory in their previous game and benefitted from Real Madrid’s home draw with Real Sociedad to stretch the lead at the top to five points.
They will be looking to take it up a notch this week away at Real Betis. Robert Lewandowski is expected to return after serving suspension and that should strengthen Xavi’s attacking force.
Real Betis are currently in sixth place in the La Liga standings and have been fairly impressive so far this season. The Andalusian outfit edged Getafe to a 1-0 victory over the weekend and will be confident ahead of this fixture.
But Barcelona are in good form and will be looking to maintain a healthy lead at the top.
Pick Barcelona to win (Odd 1.68 via pulsebet.com)
Thursday -Real Madrid vs. Valencia
Real Madrid usually get goals but that wasn't the case against Real Sociedad on Sunday. That goalless draw means that Madrid's title chances keep waning by the week.
That draw left Carlo Ancelotti’s charges five points behind leaders Barcelona. Chances were created but squandered by the Madrid forward line.
With Barcelona playing the day before, this match-up might be a must-win by the time Thursday comes around. Victory for Barcelona would see them stretch that lead to eight points.
Madrid are expected to beat a managerless Valencia at the Bernabéu, but Carlo Ancelotti's side can’t necessarily be trusted at present.
There is no room for error, though.
Pick Real Madrid to win (Odd 1.45 via pulsebet.com)
Wednesday -Manchester United vs. Nottingham Forest
Only a monumental United collapse stands between Manchester United and a trip to Wembley for the Carabao Cup final.
Erik ten Hag's charges stamped their authority on the two-legged contest with a convincing 3-0 win at the City Ground last week.
Goals from Marcus Rashford, Wout Weghorst and Bruno Fernandes gave United the healthy lead and Forrest have it all to do in the return leg at Old Trafford.
Having been knocked out the FA Cup by Blackpool in the third round last month, Forest have had a week to prepare for this second leg. But United were in FA Cup action and banged in another three goals in a 3-1 win over Reading.
We should expect goals.
Pick Over 2.5 goals (Odd 1.73 via pulsebet.com)
Thursday -Sporting Lisbon vs. Braga
With both teams in good form and eager to secure a win, this should be an exciting encounter. Sporting's strong form at home and Braga's impressive scoring record make this a difficult game to predict, but with five out of six of Sporting's home games and two of Braga's last three away seeing Over 1.5 goals at half time, it is safe to expect some goals in this game.
Sporting Lisbon currently sit in fourth place, while Braga are second, eight points ahead of them. Sporting have had a mixed season so far, with a run to the Taca de Portugal final ending in disappointment after losing to Porto.
However, they have been very strong at home, winning each of their last six games, with five of those seeing Over 1.5 goals at half time.
Their solid defence has also been a key factor in that success, conceding just three goals in their last six home games.
Additionally, Ruben Amorim’s side have a great tradition when hosting Braga, having won six out of seven home meetings against them, with five of those seeing Over 2.5 goals. Most notably, in their most recent clash at the Jose Alvalade, they thrashed Braga 5-0, which will give them a psychological edge heading into this match.
Pick Sporting to win (Odd 1.97 via pulsebet.com)
Total Odds (Odd 8.30 via pulsebet.com)