MADRID, Jan. 17 (Xinhua) -- The second half of the 2018/19 Spanish La Liga season kicks off this weekend with everything to play for at the top, bottom and in the middle. Here are a few things to look out for.
1. Real Madrid v Sevilla: Another big game for Solari
Santiago Solari is just managing to keep his head above water at Real Madrid, with his side qualifying for the quarterfinals of the Copa del Rey despite a 1-0 defeat to Leganes on Wednesday, and a late Dani Ceballos free-kick giving his side three fortunate points away to Real Betis last weekend.
The Betis game ended with Real Madrid having just 25 percent of the ball, and although Solari has the excuse of a long injury list, the fans at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium won't accept that at home games.
Saturday's rivals Sevilla beat Real Madrid 3-0 earlier in the season and are currently above them in the table, although Los Nervionenses lost in Bilbao last weekend, they are a side that is compact in defense and quick in attack, and Madrid will have to improve drastically on their recent performances if they are to win.
2. Barcelona to start as they mean to go on?
It was very much business as usual one week ago in the Camp Nou, as Barcelona produced three flashes of magic to beat Eibar 3-0 to remain top of the table, and Sunday's game at home to Leganes promises to be a similar affair.
Leganes are hovering above the relegation zone thanks to the virtues of hard-work and organization which coach Mauricio Pellegrino has imposed on them, and although the side from south Madrid lack firepower in attack, they are tough to break down.
Barca haven't been at their best since their Lionel Messi-inspired 5-0 win away to Levante before Christmas, but those flashes of brilliance from Messi, Luis Suarez, Ousmane Dembele and Philippe Coutinho should be enough to see them secure a relatively comfortable win.
3. More of the same from Atletico?
Atletico Madrid continue to be Barca's main rivals in the title race - five points behind the Catalans as they continue to take full value from Antoine Griezmann's effectiveness in attack and a rock-solid defense.
However, those defensive virtues went missing on Wednesday as they crashed out of the Copa del Rey on away goals after a 3-3 draw at home to Girona, so expect coach Diego Simeone to insist on giving nothing away in defense for Saturday's trip to bottom side Huesca.
Huesca have shown spirit and given 100 percent in nearly all of their games this season, but seem to lack that extra bit of class needed to survive in the top flight. Nevertheless, don't expect Atletico to be running riot.
4. Drama at the bottom.
The weekend sees some huge games in the relegation fight, as Villarreal, who have slipped to second from bottom with just three points from a possible 18, entertain a much-improved Athletic Bilbao side, who have taken 11 points from a possible 15 with just one defeat in eight games since Gaizka Garitano took over as coach.
Elsewhere, Rayo Vallecano are looking to climb out of the drop zone with a fourth consecutive win as they entertain Real Sociedad, who have two wins from two games themselves.
Celta Vigo, still without star man Iago Aspas, could drop into the bottom two if they fail to beat Valencia, while sides such as Levante, Real Valladolid and Eibar, who take on an out-of-form Espanyol, are all now in danger.
It's not a week for the faint of heart in the bottom half of the table.
