Welcome to Week 19 in Spain, where we finally will reach the numerical halfway point of the season as all teams but two will complete their first foray through the league.
La Liga schedule and preview, Week 19: At last, we’ve reached the statistical halfway point
Spain’s top flight reaches the midway point of the season this weekend.
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Atlético Madrid's loss last weekend to Barcelona does not eliminate the Colchoneros from title contention -- they sit four points behind Real Madrid -- but you'll forgive observers if they let out a collective, annoyed sigh after the result. Slowly, but surely, Madrid and Barca are pulling away from everyone else and turning La Liga into a two-team race.
With Real Madrid still holding a game in hand over Atléti and Barca, there's a real danger of things becoming a one-team race should the latter two sides stumble again. Fans of those clubs, along with neutrals just wanting a title race, will look hopefully upon Getafe for a little help on Sunday. Madrid were eliminated from the Copa del Rey on Thursday by Atléti, and will likely be more than ready to take out some frustration on Getafe.
Barca -- fresh off their Copa del Rey triumph over Elche -- travels to face Depor, while Atléti is home against last-place Granada. In one of the most important, but not particularly glamorous, matches of the weekend, Elche (19th) faces Levante (18th) in a vital relegation six-pointer.
Here’s the full schedule for this weekend’s matches:
Fri., Jan. 16
Córdoba vs. Eibar | 2:45 p.m. ET, 8:45 p.m. CEST
Sat., Jan. 17
Real Sociedad vs. Rayo Vallecano | 10 a.m. ET, 4 p.m. CEST
Villarreal vs. Athletic Club | 2 p.m. ET, 8 p.m. CEST
Espanyol vs. Celta Vigo | 4 p.m. ET, 10 p.m. CEST
Sun., Jan. 18
Getafe vs. Real Madrid | 6 a.m. ET, 12 p.m. CEST
Atlético Madrid vs. Granada | 11 a.m. ET, 5 p.m. CEST
Deportivo La Coruña vs. Barcelona | 1 p.m. ET, 7 p.m. CEST
Elche vs. Levante | 3 p.m. ET, 9 p.m. CEST
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