After a fortnight of no football because of the winter break, the spanish la liga returns with some intriguing fixture.
Will the top teams pick up from where they left before the break?
Will Diego costa (19 goals) Cristiano Ronaldo (18 goals) continue to spur their teams as they strive to snatch the trophy from Barcelona?
Lionel Messi will be back at the Nou Camp as
leaders Barcelona resume their Primera
Division title quest after the winter break with
a home game against Elche on Sunday.
The Argentinian is close to recovery from a thigh
strain but is unlikely to play a part against the
minnows with a trip to title rivals Atletico Madrid
looming the following week. Nevertheless Messi's return will provide a major boost to his team-mates, according to fellow midfielder Andres Iniesta.
Iniesta said: "We know the importance of Leo. His
effectiveness and intimidation factor is one of the big
things for us. "Hopefully he will not have any more mishaps and will continue to be our number one.
"With the years we have had lately, our aim and
ambition is to reach April and May with a chance to
win in all competitions."
Barcelona can bring back Neymar after a one-game
suspension, while goalkeeper Victor Valdes may also feature after a long injury absence. Barcelona are likely to head into Sunday's game second place, with rivals Atletico sitting behind on goal difference and preparing to play at Malaga on Saturday.
Diego Simeone's Atletico face a Malaga side who
posted back-to-back league wins over Getafe and
Elche prior to the winter shut-down. Atletico are expected to finalise a six-month loan deal for midfielder Jose Sosa from Ukrainian club Metalist
Kharkiv, though it is unlikely to be completed in time
for him to feature at the Rosaleda.
Real Madrid must wait until Monday to continue their
quest to haul in the league's top two, whom they
could be trailing by up to six points by the time they
kick off against Celta Vigo at the Bernabeu. Real are hoping to have world record signing Gareth Bale back in action after the Welsh man missed the last
two games prior to the winter break due to a left leg
injury.
Real Sociedad and Atletic Bilbao meet in a Basque
derby which could go some way towards determining the likely qualifiers for the fourth Champions League position.
Bilbao go into the game with a four-point advantage in fourth place but Jagoba Arrasate's Sociedad men are the form side with a run of four straight Primera
Division wins behind them.
Argentinian Juan Antonio Pizzi takes charge of
Valencia for the first time, following the sacking of
Miroslav Djukic, as his new side face city riva ls
Levante at the Mestalla.
Also on Saturday, bottom club Real Betis hunt their
first win in 11 league games when they go to Real
Valladolid, while Almeria host Granada. On Sunday, seventh-placed Sevilla look to continue
their strong recent form at home to sinking Getafe,
while struggling Osasuna face Espanyol. In the second Monday match, Villarreal look to keep
pace with the Champions League chasers as they go
to Rayo Vallecano.
Fixture and results
Saturday, 4 January
Malaga 0-1 Athletico (Koke 70')
Valladolid 0-0 Real Betis
Valencia 2-0 Levante
(Piatti 41', Feghouli 72')
Almeria 3-0 Granada
(Dubarbier 14', Verza 28' pen, Parreu 80')
Sunday, 5 January
11:00 Sevilla vs. Getafe
15:00 Barcelona vs. Elche
17:00 Osasuna vs. Espanyol
19:00 Real Sociedad vs. Athletic Bilbao
Monday, 6 January
18:00 Real Madrid vs. Celta Vigo
21:00 Rayo Vallecano vs. Villareal
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