Daijiworld Media Network - Madrid
Madrid, Jan 1: After a one-week Christmas break, La Liga makes its return this weekend with a complete round of fixtures, setting the stage for the Spanish Super Cup to be held in Saudi Arabia next week featuring Athletic Club Bilbao, Atletico Madrid, FC Barcelona and Real Madrid.
The action begins on Friday night with a Madrid derby as Rayo Vallecano host Getafe. Both sides are desperate for a turnaround, with Rayo winless since late October and Getafe slipping to 11th place after three straight defeats. The visitors will also be without their leading striker Borja Mayoral, adding to their challenges.
Saturday’s standout fixture is the Barcelona derby, where Espanyol welcome league leaders FC Barcelona in what is expected to be a fiercely contested encounter. Espanyol enter the match in fifth place after five consecutive victories, including a gritty 2-1 win in Bilbao to close out 2025. Confidence is high among the hosts as they look to upset their city rivals. Barcelona, meanwhile, will face a hostile atmosphere in Cornella but are boosted by the return of Pedri, although Gavi, Andreas Christensen and Dani Olmo remain sidelined.
Earlier on Saturday, Valencia travel to face an in-form Celta Vigo knowing that failure to secure a win could see them drop into the relegation zone. Celta have climbed to seventh place and appear rejuvenated after the break. Elsewhere, Osasuna aim for a third straight home victory when they take on Athletic Club Bilbao, who continue to struggle with a lengthy injury list.
Elche, fresh from a commanding 4-0 win over Rayo Vallecano, face Villarreal in a match with added significance for Elche coach Eder Sarabia, who previously worked in Villarreal’s youth setup. Both teams will have to cope with key absences, including injuries and suspensions.
Sunday brings managerial debuts and high-stakes clashes. Luis Castro takes charge of bottom-placed Levante for the first time as they visit Sevilla, while Pellegrino Matarazzo makes his bow as Real Sociedad manager against Atletico Madrid. Sociedad hover dangerously close to the relegation zone and face a formidable Atletico side boasting attacking talent such as Antoine Griezmann, Alexander Sorloth and Julian Alvarez.
Real Madrid host Betis at the Santiago Bernabeu in a potentially testing fixture, with pressure mounting on coach Xabi Alonso. Madrid will be without several key players, including the injured Kylian Mbappe, as well as Trent Alexander-Arnold, Dani Carvajal and Eder Militao.
The round concludes with Mallorca facing Girona in a clash between two sides battling near the bottom, while Alaves host Oviedo as new coach Guillermo Almada looks to revive an attack that has struggled for goals this season.
With form, pride and crucial points at stake, La Liga’s return promises an intense and decisive weekend of football.