(Football news) La Liga is back after the winter break. This will be a testing time for the top teams as the fixtures start coming in hard and fast with the Spanish Super cup and the Copa del rey about to begin along with the European knockouts. Real Madrid will start the year 8 points clear on the top of the table. Atletico Madrid are 5th on the table while Barcelona are 7th.

Real Madrid travel to Getafe in what should've been a regulation match where Los Blancos are expected to win convincingly. That is not the case as Real Madrid have been hit with 5 covid positives. Vinicius Jr, Thibaut Courtois, Fede Valverde, Eduardo Camavinga and Luka Jovic are the one's affected; all the players previously affected have recovered and started training. There is uncertainty around the availability of the players as Courtois, Valverde and Camavinga have reportedly all tested negative twice which could see them come into the side. Dani Carvajal is the only player missing through injury. Vinicius is almost certainly ruled out which presents a great opportunity for Eden Hazard to get a chance in his favored left wing position. Getafe who are currently 16th on the table and would be looking to get a result against this depleted Madrid side. 

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Atletico Madrid host Rayo Vallecano in a very important game.  A win for Rayo could take them 4 points clear of Atletico in 4th place on the table whereas a win for the Rojiblancos would take them back into the top 4. Atletico have lost their last 3 league games for the first time since Diego Simeone took over charge in 2011. If they lose this one then it will be red alert time in the capital. Atleti will be without the injured Antoine Griezmann, Stefan Savic and Marcus Llorente while Joao Felix, Koke and Hector Herera have been tested positive for COVID-19.  There have been reports of as many as 17 positive covid cases in the Rayo Vallecano camp but there is nothing official and the game is expected to go ahead as of now.

Barcelona will travel to Mallorca looking to start fresh and forget the previous year. Ferran Torres could make his debut after his move from Manchester City. Jordi Alba, Clement Lenglet, Dani Alves, Ousmane Dembele, Samuel Umtiti and Gavi have tested positive for covid and hence will most probably miss the game. Barcelona could jump into the top 4 with a win against Mallorca who are 15th on the table. Xavi will be keen on welcoming some of the injured players back into the squad and get a win to start the year.