Four games in La Liga on Wednesday have a lot to say about the title race, next season's Champions League berths, and the struggle to avoid relegation.
With Real Madrid's UEFA Champions League elimination, their entire season depends on domestic success. With a four-point gap in the La Liga and a date in the Copa Del Rey final set, head coach Carlo Ancelotti believes their success depends on beating arch-rivals FC Barcelona.
Barca will be at home to Celta Vigo on Saturday night after qualifying for the semifinal of the Champions League despite a 3-1 defeat to Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday night.
Betis has suffered a serious setback with the confirmation central defender Diego Llorente needs an operation and will miss the rest of the season.
FC Barcelona coach Hansi Flick is likely to have only two central defenders available for his side's rescheduled La Liga game at home to Osasuna on Thursday night.
Valencia and Real Madrid get the La Liga underway in 2025 on Friday in a match that could see Real go top, ahead of cross-town rivals Atletico and five points clear of archrivals FC Barcelona.
Diego Simeone has been named the Best La Liga Coach in December, an award for Atletico de Madrid’s sensational month of December which has seen the club rise to the top of the standings in the league.
The win lifts Barca six points clear of Real Madrid at the top of La Liga and also means Real Madrid's run of 42 La Liga games without defeat comes to an end, reports Xinhua.
Captain Luka Modric became the oldest player to compete in an official match in Real Madrid's history in Vigo. The Croatian appeared in the match against Celta in Balaidos at the age of 39 years and 40 days, surpassing Ferenc Puskas' previous record.
The biggest event in the 2024/25 Premier League season is one that will take place off the pitch as the Premier League hopes to finally settle the 115 charges that Manchester City is accused of.
