Sports

La Liga 2025–26: Villarreal Lead Early Race as Barcelona and Real Madrid Stay Close

Published

3 months ago

August 28, 2025

The 2025-26 La Liga season, formally titled LALIGA EA SPORTS, is the 95th season and the top football tournament in Spain. This campaign, which will be launched on 15 August 2025 and last until 24 May 2026, has already introduced enthusiasm and rivalry among the leading clubs. Barcelona champions, who won their 28th league title last year, are seeking to defend their title. As the first two matchdays have been finished, Villarreal have become the early pacesetters with a decisive opening to their season, with the old heavy hitters Barcelona and Real Madrid right behind. It is now time to look forward to the weekend games.

Upcoming Fixtures (August 29–31, 2025)

Intense matches are anticipated during the third matchweek as teams try to establish their positions in the preliminary standings.

Date	Match	Time (Local)	Venue	City
Friday, Aug 29	Elche vs Levante	11:00 PM	Martínez Valero	Elche
Saturday, Aug 30	Alavés vs Atlético Madrid	8:30 PM	Mendizorroza	Vitoria-Gasteiz
Saturday, Aug 30	Real Oviedo vs Real Sociedad	10:30 PM	Carlos Tartiere	Oviedo
Saturday, Aug 30	Girona vs Sevilla	11:00 PM	Municipal de Montilivi	Girona
Sunday, Aug 31	Real Madrid vs Mallorca	1:00 AM	Santiago Bernabéu	Madrid
Sunday, Aug 31	Celta Vigo vs Villarreal	8:30 PM	Estadio Abanca-Balaídos	Vigo
Sunday, Aug 31	Real Betis vs Athletic Club	10:30 PM	Estadio La Cartuja de Sevilla	Sevilla
Sunday, Aug 31	Espanyol vs Osasuna	11:00 PM	RCDE Stadium	Barcelona

These fixtures are going to play a major role in determining the early hierarchy of the league. Villarreal face a tough away clash against Celta Vigo, while Real Madrid host Mallorca in front of their home fans. Barcelona, defending champions, will look to keep the momentum going in the next rounds as they pursue a back-to-back title.

Current Standings and Key Highlights

Position	Team	Played (Pl)	Wins (W)	Draws (D)	Losses (L)	Goals For (F)	Goals Against (A)	Goal Difference (GD)	Points (Pts)
1	Villarreal	2	2	0	0	7	0	+7	6
2	Barcelona	2	2	0	0	6	2	+4	6
3	Real Madrid	2	2	0	0	4	0	+4	6
4	Getafe	2	2	0	0	4	1	+3	6
5	Athletic Bilbao	2	2	0	0	4	2	+2	6
6	Real Betis	3	1	2	0	3	2	+1	5
7	Espanyol	2	1	1	0	4	3	+1	4
8	Rayo Vallecano	2	1	0	1	3	2	+1	3
9	Alaves	2	1	0	1	2	2	0	3
10	Osasuna	2	1	0	1	1	1	0	3

The table of the La Liga is very close at the top after two games. Villarreal are on an excellent start with an overall +7 goal margin, with seven scored and never conceded. Barcelona and Real Madrid are not left behind with two wins each, but with a margin that makes them second and third, respectively. Getafe and Athletic Bilbao are next with six points each, so there are five teams on the same level at the top.

Further on, Real Betis are yet to be defeated, and they have five points after three games, and it is already proving to be consistent. Espanyol are in seventh with four points, and Rayo Vallecano, Alavés, and Osasuna make up the top ten with three points apiece.

Villarreal has been the one who has started strongly, and the opening weeks of the season have seen that, although Barcelona and Real Madrid are right behind, the fans can expect another season of title fight drama. The following matches will see whether Villarreal can continue their momentum or the traditional giants will soon take back the lead.