Barcelona looks to stay atop La Liga standings on TSN

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Barcelona looks to stay atop La Liga standings on TSN

TSN is your home for La Liga, featuring Barcelona looking to maintain its spot at the top of the table, Real Madrid trying to make up ground, and Canadians Tajon Buchanan and Tani Oluwaseyi in action to end the week.

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Barcelona vs. Mallorca, Sunday at 9:45 a.m ET/8:15 a.m. PT on TSN5 and TSN+

Barcelona is back in action this weekend, looking to remain atop the table as they host Mallorca on Sunday morning.

Hansi Flick’s side is coming off a 2-1 victory over Albacete in their Copa del Rey quarter-final on Tuesday. They will now turn their focus back to La Liga, determined to stay ahead of rival Real Madrid.

“I’m happy with our style,” Flick said. “We have to be more focused when finishing our chances, but the team is in a good moment.”

Barcelona is a perfect 10-0-0 at Camp Nou this season.

Spanish star Lamine Yamal has been at the forefront of Barcelona’s attack, as he has scored in four straight games across all competitions. He is one of just eight players to accomplish the feat for Barca since the 2013-14 season, joining Leo Messi (19 times), Luis Suárez (10), Robert Lewandowski (5), Neymar (5), Ousmane Dembélé, Raphinha, and Ferran Torres. Yamal is also the youngest player in La Liga history to achieve the feat at 18 years, 205 days.

“The most important thing is that he enjoys himself. And that’s something we have to help him with,” Flick said. “You can see it in his performances. He’s scoring more goals, and he still has even more potential.”

The 18-year-old has compiled 14 goals and 12 assists this season.

Brazilian winger Raphinha remains unavailable due to a right leg injury but Flick highlighted Frenkie de Jong as someone who has stepped into a bigger leadership role and created an atmosphere to get the best form out of the entire squad.

“He’s fantastic on the ball, and he’s grown as a leader, which is normal with his age and experience. He feels very comfortable in Barcelona. He loves the club and the city,” Flick said of de Jong.

“What matters is that players give everything they have. When the atmosphere is good, you work better, you’re more motivated to give more.

“In six days we play three matches, but I see the players in a great environment and that’s what I value. Respect between coach and players, and between players and coach. That’s how you get the best level from everyone.”

On the other side, Mallorca has won two of its past three games as the club tries to move further away from the relegation zone. They are coming off a solid 4-1 showing over Sevilla on Monday.

Villarreal vs. Espanyol, Monday at 3 p.m. ET/12 p.m. PT on TSN+

Coming off a hard-fought 2-2 draw with Osasuna last Saturday, Villarreal will try to tighten their grip on fourth place as they host Espanyol on Monday afternoon.

Villarreal sits fourth in the La Liga table with 42 points, trailing only Barcelona (55), Real Madrid (54), and Atletico Madrid (45). A win will allow Marcelino’s side to gain some distance on the chasing Real Betis and Espanyol.

The Yellow Submarine introduced a pair of new signings on Friday and welcomed Alex Freeman and Alfon Gonzalez to the club.

“We believe Alfon will make a great contribution in the final stretch of the season to help us achieve our objectives,” Villarreal CEO Fernando Roig Negueroles said of Gonzalez.

“I’m excited and happy to be here. I’m injured at the moment. I want to recover as well as possible, and in three weeks I hope to be able to help the team with my work,” Gonzalez said at the introductory press conference.

Negueroles also praised Freeman, who moves over from Orlando City of MLS. “He has great potential, and we have full confidence in him in the short, medium and long term,” he said.

“I wanted to prove my level. I wanted to take a step forward and show that I can be a good player in La Liga. It’s a big step in my career. I trust my abilities, and that’s why I came here to play for such a fantastic club as Villarreal,” said Freeman. “There’s a difference compared to MLS. Here the game is much faster. I have to make decisions quicker and face wingers with a lot of threat. I need to adapt fast so I can help the team and give 100% in this new stage. Marcelino has already told me what I need to do.”

Villarreal captain Gerard Moreno scored a brace against Osasuna to earn his club a point and put an end to a three-match losing streak. He now has seven goals in 12 La Liga matches and is the club’s all-time leading goal scorer with 127.

Canadians Tajon Buchanan and Tani Oluwaseyi will look to continue honing their top form ahead of representing Canada at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Espanyol has dropped three matches in a row, including a 2-1 loss to Alaves last Friday. The club has not tasted victory in 2026 but remains in the hunt for the top four thanks to a run of five consecutive La Liga victories to finish 2025.

“The results haven’t been good for us. Now is the time to stick together as a group,” said winger Tyrhys Dolan. “In December we were in a very good moment, but it’s true that January has been a bit tougher. We’re motivated to turn things around and we’re working hard in training.

“We’re still in a good position in the league. Other teams are closing the gap, but it’s our job to keep them behind us. The lads are motivated and 110 per cent ready. I’m more focused than ever myself on performing well again.”