With the 2022 FIFA World Cup now in the history books, attention will turn back to club football as all of Europe's biggest leagues get underway just in time for the New Year.
The Premier League has already kicked off, and now La Liga will also resume action, with plenty of games taking place in the final days of 2022.
Here's all you need to know ahead of matchday 15, which will start on Thursday, December 29th and conclude on Saturday, December 31st.
How the table looks ahead of matchday 15
Barcelona, who are on a five match winning streak, currently hold a narrow lead over the chasing pack, but that could change should they fail to beat Espanyol and Real Madrid earn all three points against Real Valladolid.
On the opposite end of the table, struggling Elche will be desperate to finally earn what would be their first win of the season, but will face a really tough task as they are traveling to face Atletico Madrid, who themselves were in a slump prior to the World Cup and will be keen on getting back to winning ways quickly.
| Poz. | Takım | OM | G | B | M | AG | YG | Averaj | P | Form | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Real Madrid | 35 | 28 | 6 | 1 | 78 | 22 | +56 | 90 | GGGGG | |
| 2 | Barcelona | 35 | 23 | 7 | 5 | 72 | 43 | +29 | 76 | GMGMG | |
| 3 | Girona | 35 | 23 | 6 | 6 | 75 | 44 | +31 | 75 | BGGGM | |
| 4 | Atlético Madrid | 35 | 22 | 4 | 9 | 64 | 39 | +25 | 70 | GGGMG | |
| 5 | Athletic Club | 35 | 17 | 11 | 7 | 57 | 35 | +22 | 62 | BGMBB | |
| 6 | Real Betis | 35 | 14 | 13 | 8 | 46 | 41 | +5 | 55 | GGBGG | |
| 7 | Real Sociedad | 35 | 14 | 12 | 9 | 48 | 37 | +11 | 54 | MGMBB | |
| 8 | Valencia | 35 | 13 | 9 | 13 | 37 | 39 | -2 | 48 | BMMMG | |
| 9 | Villarreal | 35 | 13 | 9 | 13 | 59 | 60 | -1 | 48 | GMGGB | |
| 10 | Getafe | 35 | 10 | 13 | 12 | 41 | 48 | -7 | 43 | MMGBB | |
| 11 | Deportivo Alavés | 35 | 11 | 9 | 15 | 34 | 40 | -6 | 42 | BGGGM | |
| 12 | Sevilla | 35 | 10 | 11 | 14 | 47 | 49 | -2 | 41 | MGBGG | |
| 13 | Osasuna | 35 | 11 | 7 | 17 | 39 | 53 | -14 | 40 | BMMMM | |
| 14 | Las Palmas | 35 | 10 | 7 | 18 | 30 | 44 | -14 | 37 | MMMMM | |
| 15 | Mallorca | 35 | 7 | 14 | 14 | 28 | 40 | -12 | 35 | GMBMM | |
| 16 | Rayo Vallecano | 35 | 7 | 14 | 14 | 27 | 43 | -16 | 35 | BMMGB | |
| 17 | Celta de Vigo | 35 | 8 | 10 | 17 | 40 | 53 | -13 | 34 | MGMGM | |
| 18 | Cádiz | 35 | 5 | 14 | 16 | 24 | 49 | -25 | 29 | GMBMM | |
| 19 | Granada | 35 | 4 | 9 | 22 | 36 | 68 | -32 | 21 | MMGBG | |
| 20 | Almería | 35 | 2 | 11 | 22 | 35 | 70 | -35 | 17 | MGMMB |
Who's in the running for the Pichichi prize?
Robert Lewandowski is keen on showing he's no one-league wonder with a strong start to his La Liga career. The 34-year-old Polish star is currently comfortably in the lead in terms of the Pichichi prize, but will certainly hope to add more to his growing tally to put more of a gap between himself and his challengers. However, he will have to wait to get back into action as he's set to miss out on Barcelona's next game due to a suspension.
Who's in and who's out for matchday 15
Here's the personnel situation for several teams heading into matchday 15.
*All info as of 28 December 2022
Barcelona: Robert Lewandowski (Suspended)
Real Madrid: No injuries, illnesses, or suspensions
Atletico Madrid: No injuries, illnesses, or suspensions
Athletic Bilbao: Mikel Balenziaga (Hamstring Injury), Ander Herrera (Hamstring Injury), Jon Morcillo (Flu)
Sevilla: Papu Gómez (Sprained ankle), Alex Telles (Knee Injury), Tecatito (Ankle Injury), Thomas Delaney (Knee Injury), Marcão (Thigh muscle rupture)
Real Sociedad: Martín Merquelanz (Knee Injury), Aihen Muñoz (Hamstring Injury), Umar Sadiq (Knee Injury), Ander Barrenetxea (Muscular problems), Mikel Oyarzabal (Knee Injury)
Key matches to catch on matchday 15
Atlético Madrid vs Elche: Both teams come into Thursday's match in rather poor form. Atlético Madrid, who sit in fifth spot, have won just one of their last five games. With 24 points, Los Rojiblancos are a whopping 13 behind current league leaders Barcelona and 11 behind cross town rivals Real Madrid, making any chances of forcing their way into the title race a nearly impossible task. That being said, Diego Simeone's side are still in the running for securing Champions League football, as they are only behind Athletic Bilbao, who are in fourth place, on goal difference.
Still, with many teams, including Osasuna and Rayo Vallecano - the latter of which has had an impressive campaign so far - hot on their tails, Los Rojiblancos will be feeling some pressure when relegation-threatened Elche come to town on Thursday. Elche, for their part, have had a nightmare campaign that has seen them pick up a measly four points and fail to win a single game so far this season.
Real Valladolid vs Real Madrid: A road trip will be on the cards for Carlo Ancelotti's side as Real Madrid resume their La Liga campaign against Real Valladolid on Thursday evening. Los Blancos did experience a slight wobble prior to the World Cup but bounced back to earn a victory over Cadiz last time out. They sit just two points behind Barcelona, and given that they are playing first, they could temporarily leapfrog Barcelona into top spot before the Blaugrana are in action on Saturday.
Meanwhile, Real Valladolid, who have won three of their last five games, will hope that playing at home could give them a the edge they need to pick up a vital victory to wrap up 2022.
Barcelona vs Espanyol: The latest installment of the Catalan derby will take place on Saturday as 2022 comes to a close. Xavi's side are currently on top of the table, but will need to take on their upcoming opponents without the suspended Robert Lewandowski. The Blaugrana could find themselves in second spot by the time their match kicks off if Real Madrid beat Real Valladolid in their game on Thursday, which will increase the pressure on the Spanish giants to make sure they get the job done against Espanyol, who have earned just three points from their last five matches.
Broadcast info for matchday 15
