MADRID, Jan. 4 (Xinhua) -- Spanish fans will have to wait until Sunday before seeing the top-4 of the Liga Santander in action, but it promises to be a fascinating return as the season closes in on the halfway point: Here are some things to look out for in Spain this weekend.
1. Imanol to have an effect at Real Sociedad.
Some may have been surprised by Real Sociedad's decision to sack coach Asier Garitano just before Christmas with the team six points clear of the relegation zone, however, 'la Real' have just one home win all season and everything pointe to a lack of 'feeling' between the former Leganes boss and his players in San Sebastian.
The decision to appoint former B-team boss Imanol Alcuacil as Garitano's replacement seems a wise one: Imanol did a good job when temporarily replacing Eusebio Sacristan at the end of last season and in his former role he worked with many members of the current first team squad.
Imanol makes his debut in the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium and with Madrid still below their best(as they showed on Thursday in Villarreal) the Basque side may think they have a chance to spring a surprise and add to their total of four away wins already this campaign.
2. Getafe to test Barca?
FC Barcelona breezed through their recent away matches, scoring four goals against local rivals Espanyol and putting five past Levante, now Ernesto Valverde's players have an even tougher test when they visit Getafe on Sunday.
Getafe are enjoying another excellent season under coach Pepe Bordalas, who has built a team around tight defensive organization and the goal poaching abilities of Jorge Molina, Angel Rodriguez and Jaime Mata.
Games in the Alfonso Perez Coliseum stadium have all been tight affairs with Getafe scoring eight goals and conceding just 4. Recent visits of Barcelona have also seen the club ensure the pitch is dry with the grass left as long as possible in order to disrupt Barca's passing game.
Messi and his teammates will have to be at their best to take all three points on Sunday.
3. Sevilla - Atletico: duel between title hopefuls?
Perhaps the most interesting game this weekend sees third place Sevilla entertain second place Atletico in a match which could determine if either of these two sides can mount a serious challenge to Barcelona this season.
Sevilla have won all their last 6 home league matches since losing to Getafe on September 16th while Atletico have just one away defeat all campaign, which came away to Celta Vigo on September 1st.
There will be little in this one between two in form teams and with neither giving anything away and one goal could well decide it.
4. Can Espanyol turn things around?
At the start of December Espanyol looked to be possible contenders for a place in Europe next season. The side coached by Joan Francesc Ferrer (Rubi) were in the top six and looking compact and confident with striker Borja Iglesias scoring almost at will.
The wheels have come off big-time since then, with six straight defeats in which Espanyol have scored just three goals.
Leganes offer the chance to return to winning ways on Friday night, but although they are two points below Rubi's side in the table, Leganes are unbeaten in seven games in which they have conceded just five.
It promises to be a possible banana skin for Rubi, whose side would be in a relegation dogfight if they lost to the seventh-placed Leganes. Enditem