This weekend’s round of fixtures is highlighted by El Clásico, the rivalry between Barcelona and Real Madrid. Not only are they the two most successful teams in the history of Spanish football, they occupy the top two spots in this season’s table. Real Madrid has a one point lead over Barcelona heading into this pivotal match. Not to be overshadowed is another top six clash between 4th place Valencia and 6th place Mallorca at the Mestalla on Saturday.
The times listed are Eastern Standard Time (EST) and include the pregame pleasantries, although sometimes the matches on the DIRECTV La Liga specific channels may not go to match coverage until right before kickoff.
Nov. 28
Sporting Gijón vs. Villarreal – 11:55 AM on GOL TV
Valencia vs. Mallorca – 1:55 PM on ESPN Deportes/ESPN 360
Sevilla vs. Málaga – 3:55 PM on GOL TV
Nov. 29
Racing Santander vs. Deportivo La Coruña – 10:45 AM on DIRECTV channel 456
Almería vs. Athletic Bilbao – 10:45 AM on DIRECTV channel 457
Real Zaragoza vs. Osasuna – 10:45 AM on DIRECTV channel 458
Atlético Madrid vs. Espanyol – 2:55 on ESPN2/ESPN 360
El Clásico: Barcelona vs. Real Madrid – On GOL TV, coverage starts at 11:00 AM with a thirty minute program called “El Clásico Goles Historicos,” detailing the most important goals in the history of the Barcelona – Real Madrid rivalry. At 12:00 PM, there is an hour pre-game show before kickoff at 1:00 PM, followed by the match itself, and then an hour post-game show following the match.
On ESPN Deportes and ESPN 360, coverage begins at 12:00 PM with their own one-hour pregame show before the 1:00 PM kickoff. After the match on both ESPN Deportes and ESPN 360, there will be a ninety minute post-game show on ESPN Deportes.
Unfortunately, this match will not be show in high definition in the United States.
The Getafe – Xerez and the Real Valladolid – Tenerife matches will not be shown on US TV.
Also in mid-week, Match Day 5 of the Europa League commences with three Spanish teams fighting to make it into the knockout stages. The most intriguing match involving a La Liga team is Valencia hosting Lille at the Mestalla; Valencia is tied with Genoa for second in the group with six points, one point behind Lille.
UEFA Europa League
Levski Sofia vs. Villarreal – Wednesday, December 2 at 12:45 PM on DIRECTV channel 463 (463-1 for HD)
Valencia vs. Lille – Wednesday, December 2 at 3:00 PM on DIRECTV channel 462 (462-1 for HD) and delayed at 8:00 PM on GOL TV
Austria Wien vs. Athletic Bilbao – Thursday, December 3 at 12:45 PM on DIRECTV channel 462 (462-1 for HD)
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Hola me llamo jessica vivo en new jersey y soy fan del real madrid. Se que se enfrenta ante un gran equipo como lo es el barcelona, asi que se que podemos perder ante ellos, pero las esperansas son las ultimas que se pierden asi que deseandole toda la suerte del mundo al real madrid para que gane el partido. Gracias por su atencion atentamente jessica.
Wow, its a real shame that ESPN2 did not move its schedule a bit to accomodate el classico. To watch Real Madrid and Barcelona in HD would have been fantastic! I am sure the ratings would have been nice too.
-bummed
WTF is wrong with ESPN!! I mean they are going to show Atletico-Espanyol at 3:00pm instead of Real-Barca at 1:00pm couldnt Nascar year in review be switched so that one of the biggest games of the year be shown for American viewers??? And you wonder why soccer will never be big in the US!!
What my sources are telling me is that ESPN2 will have the English language showing of the second Real-Barcelona showdown later in the season so as to continue the sharing of these two teams between GOL TV and ESPN. GOL TV and ESPN have alternated showing Real Madrid and Barcelona every round, so while I am not fully confirming this, there is a distinct possibility you will see the second Clasico on ESPN2 in April, when the title race will be more clearly defined.
I understand that GolTV, Inc. put language in its sublicense agreement with ESPN, Inc. to prevent a live La Liga match telecast on either ESPN (U.S.) or ESPN2 (U.S.) wherever GolTV (U.S.) is airing a live La Liga match on the same day in the same time slot.
That means as long as GolTV (U.S.) wants to air El Clasico, the only ESPN-branded outlets in the U.S. that can air El Clasico are ESPN Deportes and ESPN360.com.
There is a last-minute programming addition to the midweek schedule. Xerez vs. Barcelona will be seen on ESPN2, ESPN Deportes, and ESPN 360 on Wednesday, commencing at 3:55 PM EST. This match is being played at this time because of FC Barcelona’s participation in the Club World Cup later this month, and this game against Xerez would have been in conflict with the competition.