Real Madrid failed to claim the full scoring from last week's visit to Almeria (a rival that Barcelona overwhelmed 8-0 only a few weeks ago), and the four-points advantage gives Barcelona the peace needed to prolong their leadership at least for another week.

Recently eliminated from the Spanish Cup by reigning champion Sevilla, Villarreal must take on Real Sociedad, empowered after last week's comfortable victory 4-0 over Getafe.

Juan Carlos Garrido's Submarines occupy the 3rd position with 39 points, only two above Valencia, standing at the last Champion League qualifying place.

Sevilla, on the other hand, is going through a difficult moment in their domestic league, having obtained only three points in their last five games at home. Their rival, Levante, must claim the full scoring to escape from the relegation zone.

The second half of the Spanish League kicks off on Saturday night as Levante visits the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan. January has been a month of many surprises so far in the Spanish league, what will happen by next Monday?

Things haven't worked out as expected for Gregorio Manzano's Sevillistas during the first part of La Liga fight. Occupying the 10th position with 26 points, at least Sevilla managed to advance to Copa del Rey semi-finals by defeating Villarreal last Wednesday.





Levante's coach Luis Garcia, sent off last week against Zaragoza, has been banned for two weeks by the Spanish Competition Comitee. To make things even worse for los Granotes, Spanish midfielder Sergio Gonzalez and central defender Nano are ruled out with injuries.





Sevilla's goalkeeper Antonio Palop might return to the staring eleven for this clash, providing Manzano's boys with the needed security in the back line. Federico Fazio and Ivica Dragutinovic have also trained normally during the week and might be fully fit to perform.





Sevilla will have to struggle hard if they're meant to fight for a place in next year's European competitions. Newly promoted Levante can be left at the bottom position upon another defeat, who'll claim the full scoring?



Miguel Angel Portugal's Racinguistas will have to be extremely careful not to be overwhelmed by Barcelona at the Camp Nou on Saturday's night. Pep Guardiola's boys are aware a sound victory will be the perfect remedy for midweek's defeat against Betis, the second one this season.





Racing's captain Pedro Munitis is banned from performing for the next two games, having been booked twice last week at Athletic's Cathedral. His absence will greatly diminish Racing's offensive firepower.





At least midfielder Manuel Arana might return to the starting eleven for this clash, assuming the responsiblity of driving team's cruise in Barcelona.





Barcelona's coach Guardiola knows that whatever doesn't kills you makes you stronger, and for that reason he believes the last game against Betis has left behind a positive impact on his team.





Barcelona has a busy schedule waiting ahead having yet to face Arsenal for the Champions League and Almeria for Copa del Rey's semi-finals. Having scored 61 goals in 19 Liga games while conceding only 11, the visitors will have a tough nut to crack, will they succeed?



"The real fight kicks off this Saturday against Valencia" said Malaga's Julio Baptista earlier this week, and the whole squad showed the same determination for such decisive clash. The Brazilian beast is anxious to add his two cents to Malaga's rennaissance. The visitors are only one point above the relegation line, and the situation can take a radical twist upon an awkward result at the Mestalla.





The hosts, on the other hand, managed to finish the first half of the tournament occupying the last Champions League place, three points above Espanyol. Che's manager will have to do without team's goalkeeper Cesar Sanchez and his substitute Miguel Angel Moya, as well as David Albelda and Sofiane Feghouli, all of them struggling with injuries.





Valencia's main objective nowadays is defying Villarreal's place as the third alternative, as this will also settle them on the Champions League fight for good. Spanish midfielder Joaquin Sanchez returns to the starting eleven after two weeks, and his contribution from the wings will surely come in handy dealing with Manuel Pellegrini's Malaga.





Argentinean central defender Martín Demichelis and Weligton de Oliveira will have to be fully focused to survive this week's visit to Valencia. Does Malaga have what it takes to stop Unai Emery's Valencia from taking the full scoring?



Javier Aguirre's Zaragoza hosts Deportivo on Sunday's evening eager to escape from the basement fight and change their luck for the second half of the tournament. Having started the season in the worst possible form, Deportivo reached the 13th position with 21 points, but the gap from the risk zone might be reduced to only two units upon an adverse result in Zaragoza.





Deportivo's manager Miguel Angel Lotina will have to come up with an idea to replace key players on his squad, as Andres Guardado, Riki and Michel are all ruled out with injuries. At least Ruben Perez is likely to be among the starting eleven, just like he did during Copa del Rey's Wednesday match.





Zaragoza wants to celebrate a second consecutive victory to boost their morale and demonstrate los Maños are serious about their future in the Spanish Primera Division.





"As long as we keep up with the good work, I'm sure we'll be saved, though it won't be easy. I believe me and my fellow team mates have what it takes to survive" said Zaragoza's Ander Herrera.





A true six-pointer to decide which fight will both Deportivo and Zaragoza will be fighting in the last 18 games, who'll claim the three points?



Reigning European champion Atletico Madrid has already been eliminated from the Spanish Cup and the Europa League and will have to struggle hard to secure qualification for next year's European competitions, as los Colchoneros currently occupy the 6th position with 30 points, only one above Joaquin Caparros' Athletic.





Sporting, on the other hand, is deeply compromised with the relegation fight. Last week's victory against Hercules let Manolo Preciado's boys finish the first half of the tournament in the 17th position. "We hope this victory helps to restore the confidence of our players, we must believe in ourselves if we're meant to stay at the Primera Division" said Sporting's coach after the match.





Atletico's offense will be missing Jose Antonio Reyes and Sergio Aguero greatly, as them both join Mario Suarez in the list of physically compromised players. Diego Costa, Antonio Lopez and Raul Garcia are fully fit to perform, partially balancing Colchoneros' situation.





Sporting's head coach is likely to repeat last week's formation: Young Nacho Cases might once again replace Nacho Novo in the midfield, while David Barral wi llbe leading the attack, having scored his first goal in the season last week.





An important game for two squads in great need of a victory, who'll claim it?



Jose Luis Oltra's Almeria is two-faced: Occupying La Liga's bottom position with 14 points, Almeria managed to advance to Copa del Rey semi-finals. Now they must receive Osasuna -a direct rival for the category- at the Juegos Olimpicos on Sunday evening.





Osasuna's coach Jose Antonio Camacho is aware his Rojillos have not been able to celebrate a single victory in the last 7 games, and now the risk zone stands only two points below his head. In doubt until the last minute, team's captain Francisco Puñal will be among the starting eleven.





Young Spanish forward Coro might be playing his first match in the Primera Division considering Osasuna has six players struggling with injuries: Walter Pandiani, Nacho Monreal, Ruper, Alvaro Cejudo, Javad Nekounam and Masoud Shojaei are, all of them, ruled out from performing.





Sent off in the last game, Modeste M'Bami will be missing this clash as well as Almeria's captain Jose Ortiz and Juanito. This is the perfect opportunity for the hosts to boost their morale for the second half of the tournament, in which they'll have to be extremely careful not to struggle for the category until the last week.



Mauricio Pochettino's Espanyol visit Barcelona to take on Getafe, eager to shorten the gap from the European qualification line. "When two rivals share the same level, the details are decisive. We must pay special attention to Getafe's counter-attack. We'll be relaxed, confident and ready to return home victorious" said Espanyol's defender Didac Vila.





Espanyol's coach will have to do without Raul Baena for the next two weeks, as Javi Marquez's partner in the midfield is going through intense physical pain and will not be ready to perform. Aldo Duscher is his natural replacement and will most likely be among the starting eleven this Sunday at the Coliseum Alfonso Perez.





Pochettino recovers Jesus Datolo, Ivan Alonso and Jose Maria Callejon, providing a major boost to the attack capabilities of los Pericos.





Getafe needs to overcome midweek's elimination from Copa del Rey after falling 4-0 against Real Sociedad at their own home. Pedro Rios is ready to return to right wing, building a strong partnership with Manu de Moral and Dani Parejo.





An important game for two European candidates, who'll succeed?



Without Sami Khedira, Jose Mourinho's Real Madrid plays in great need of a victory to keep up with Barcelona's pace, once again the undisputable leader. Mallorca defines his future in this game, standing in the 10th position, a victory might let them reach the 6th position and get back on track for the European fight.





Michael Laudrup will have to do without Pau Cendros, Jonathan De Guzman, Joao Victor and Martí Crespí, greatly undermining Mallorca's offense. Both Real Madrid and Barcelona failed to defeat Mallorca in the first half of the tournament, and another tied game might leave Real Madrid far too behind on the chase for the title.





Lass Diarra will have another shot as Xabi Alonso's partner in the midfield, for German international Sami Khedira struggles with an injury that will keep him away from the fields at least for two weeks. Karim Benzema is likely to become the offensive lighthouse, ready to be fed by either Cristiano Ronaldo, Angel Di Maria or Mesut Ozil.





"We must know Madrid is specially dangerous when they don't have control of the ball. The three players in the second line are deadly. When Ronaldo takes the ball and runs at over 70 milles per hour, there's little you can do to stop him" said Laudrup. Nullifying Xabi Alonso will be essential for Mallorca to have a shot for the three points, as the Spanish international holds the key to unlock Madrid's attack.





This game is likely to shake the very foundations of the top fight. There's much more in play than three points, it's a turning point for both squads. Who'll succeed at the Santiago Bernabeu?



It's been five years since Villarreal managed to defeat Real Sociedad in the Primera Division. Newly Promoted Errealas failed to finish the first half among the top-ten, but they've shown they can be a nightmare even for every rival. Juan Carlos Garrido's Submarines must take the three points to maintain the 3rd position, which Sevilla and Valencia stare in lust.





Santiago Cazorla and Carlos Marchena are fully fit to return to Villarreal's starting squad, but Juan Carlos Garrido misses Nilmar, Marcos Senna and Juan Carlos, among others. Joseba Llorente returns to the Madrigal, now wearing different colors.





Real Sociedad's top striker will have to build a strong partnership with Xabi Prieto and Antoine Griezmann, as young David Zurutruza will not be fit to perform, as well as Gorka Elustondo and Carlos Martinez. The memory of Villarreal's last visit to Anoeta back in the first semester are still alive in the memory of Martin Lasarte's players; their self-confidence will be decisive for the development of this game.





Brazilian winger Cicinho might be playing his second game as a member of the starting eleven for Villarreal, having left a favorable balance on his first presentation for Copa del Rey against Sevilla.



Esteban Vigo's Hercules visit one of the toughest fields in the league, Athletic's Cathedral. Spanish international Fernando Llorente gave Athletic the three points a few months ago at the Jose Rico Perez, and he's likely to play a decisive role once again for the hosts to fight back for the European fight.





Joaquin Caparros' Lions will be a tough nut to crack for Hercules, specially considering Royston Drenthe, Olivier Thomert and Abraham Paz are struggling to recover on time for this clash. French international David Trezeguet will have to lead the attack to help Hercules leave the bottom fight behind and climb up in the standings.





Fernando Llorente finished last week's game against Racing with intense back pain, and for that reason Caparros might choose not to risk him from the first minute. Aitor Ocio is likely to be sidelined with a feet injury. To make things even worse, Mikel San Jose might be missing this game after experiencing a strong back pain during week's training.





With so many absentees, even the slightest advantage can become brutal and change the game completely. Who'll claim the full scoring on Monday's game?