La Liga Fixtures 2014 Week 16: Schedule, Live Stream Info, Picks and Key Players
Real Madrid were pleased to see Barcelona, Atletico Madrid and Sevilla all drop points in their most recent La Liga outings, allowing Los Merengues to open a four-point cushion at the head of the standings.
Carlo Ancelotti's side won't feature in Week 16, however, due to their FIFA Club World Cup commitments, and so the rest of the contenders can hope to claim a temporary step on the Spanish leaders.
Despite Real's dominant form, a long campaign is bound to hold many a twist and turn along they way, with the relegation race in particular heating up, just four points currently separating 14th and 20th place.
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Read on for schedule details and live stream information for Week 16's matchups, along with analysis of which games and players to keep and eye on.
| Friday, Dec. 19 | |||
| Celta Vigo vs. Almeria | 7:45 p.m. | beIN Sports Play | 3-1 |
| Saturday, Dec 20 | |||
| Barcelona vs. Cordoba | 3 p.m. | beIN Sports Play | 4-0 |
| Levante vs. Real Sociedad | 5 p.m. | Sky Go/beIN Sports Play | 2-2 |
| Eibar vs. Valencia | 7 p.m. | Sky Go/beIN Sports Play | 1-2 |
| Rayo Vallecano vs. Espanyol | 9 p.m. | beIN Sports Play | 1-1 |
| Sunday, Dec 21 | |||
| Villarreal vs. Deportivo La Coruna | 11 a.m. | beIN Sports Play | 2-0 |
| Granada vs. Getafe | 4 p.m. | beIN Sports Play | 0-1 |
| Elche vs. Malaga | 6 p.m. | Sky Go/beIN Sports Play | 1-2 |
| Athletic Bilbao vs. Atletico Madrid | 8 p.m. | Sky Go/beIN Sports Play | 1-2 |
Top Picks
Levante vs. Real Sociedad
David Moyes' start to life as Real Sociedad manager hasn't all been smooth sailing thus far and the Scot faces a crucial fixture at Levante to end his side's 2014 calendar.
The two teams currently sit level on 14 points leading into Saturday's clash, with the victor promising to take a giant step away from the relegation zone in what could be dubbed an early six-pointer.
La Real drew 1-1 against Basque rivals Athletic Bilbao in their most recent outing, where WhoScored.com showed that a more accurate touch in front of goal could have led to a better result for Moyes' men:
That being said, Sociedad were impressive for patches and showed good initiative, opening the scoreline through Carlos Vela after just three minutes.
Both teams have taken just two wins each in their last six games, but Levante will hope home advantage is enough to give them the edge in defeating an opponent not without its share of threats.
Key Player: Pape Diop
Keeping Sociedad's main offensive weapons contained will be an essential part of Levante's game plan if they're to emerge triumphant this weekend, a priority in which Pape Diop comes into play.
The defensive midfielder has been the second-most prominent figure for the club in terms of La Liga minutes played this season, per WhoScored.com, doing a fine job of restraining the opposition by and large.
The likes of Vela and Xabi Prieto bring a wealth of attacking threat to Estadi Ciutat de Valencia on Saturday, but in shutting down their assaults, Diop can give the home outfit a solid foundation to spring from.
Athletic Bilbao vs. Atletico Madrid
Boasting one of the best home defences in the Spanish top flight, Athletic Bilbao can hope to prevent Atletico Madrid from scoring for the second week in succession on Sunday.
Los Rojiblancos were held at home to Villarreal last weekend, losing 1-0 at the Vicente Calderon to record their first home defeat of the 2014-15 campaign.
Defence will be critical to Ernesto Valverde's cause, too. Tenth-place Bilbao have scored just eight goals at San Mames this season, the lowest amount registered by any team in La Liga's top half thus far in 2014-15.
Diego Simeone needs to see his side bounce back swiftly if they're to retain any hopes of defending their Spanish title, but a winter trip to Basque country poses a stubborn fixture to end their year.
Key Player: Koke
Regardless of where he lines up in Simeone's side, prized midfielder Koke will always be an asset considered essential to the club's cause.
As Nicolas Rigg of Spanish newspaper AS and OptaJose both illustrate, the Spanish international sits as the top assist-maker in Spain this season:
However, it's now been five games since the 22-year-old last had a hand in a goal, and if Atleti are to get their momentum back this Sunday, they need their chief playmaker at his best.
Mario Mandzukic has six league goals to his name already this season, but Koke's rise to form can see him and others ignite a more promising stretch in front of goal.
