(Football news) The La Liga has headed into the Christmas break and the league is exactly at the midpoint of the season. Real Madrid are currently 8 points clear on the top of the table while Sevilla, Real Betis and newly promoted Rayo Vallecano make up the top four. Champions Atletico Madrid are 5th while FC Barcelona are 7 on the table.
The League has had quite a few surprises with Rayo Vallecano managing to stay in the top four midway through the season. Rayo finished 6th in the Spanish 2nd division and got promoted through the playoffs. The signing of El Tigre' Radamel Falcao has boosted the Rayo squad as they aim for what would be a legendary European finish.
Barcelona are struggling in the post Messi era as they now sit 18 points behind Real Madrid at 7 place. Injuries have been their worst enemies this season. Barcelona's ambitions for the remainder of the season has to be a top four finish. Anything in addition to that would be a huge bonus. The Blaugrana are closing in on the signing of Ferran Torres from Manchester who could solve a lot of their problems.
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Champions Atletico Madrid have been nothing short of disappointing. They have now lost 4 straight La Liga games in a row for the first time since Diego Simeone took over in 2011. Unlike Barcelona, they haven't been plagued with injuries. The Rojiblancos might need a couple of winter signings to get their season back on track. They are 5th on the league table at this moment.
After a difficult last season, Real Madrid are flying under Carlo Ancelotti this time around. They sit comfortably on the top of the table with Vinicius Jr and Karim Benzema having been a revelation this season. New signing David Alaba has led the Los Blancos defence. Thibaut Courtois has continued his good form in the La Liga, having kept 7 clean sheets this season. There is no surprise to see the Holy Trinity of Luka Modric, Toni Kroos and Casemiro dominate the midfield in every single game.
There is still a long way to go in the La Liga this season and Carlo Ancelotti more than anyone knows that things could still turn around. Real Madrid will be hoping to keep their consistency and win the coveted 35th La Liga title.
