La Liga Fixtures 2015: Schedule, Live Stream and Week 16 Predictions
As Barcelona take time away from Spanish football to compete in the FIFA Club World Cup, Atletico Madrid are afforded the opportunity to go three points clear at the top of La Liga on Sunday night.
Coach Diego Simeone's men face a tricky away day in Andalusia, as they play Malaga on the south coast of Spain, but the hosts have seen better days, and they are currently only three points from the bottom of the division.
Atleti are locked at the summit with Barca, on 35 points as Real Madrid struggle in third.
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Gary Neville's Spanish education continues in the weekend's first match, as his Valencia team tackle Getafe.
The former pundit celebrated his first win in charge of Los Che, beating Barakaldo 2-0 to qualify for the last 16 of the Copa del Rey, and the English coach will be hoping to see his club climb La Liga after only five wins in 15 this term, per Sky Sports.
Here is a look at the upcoming schedule, including streaming information for your territory, and result predictions:
| Saturday, Dec. 19 | 3 p.m. (GMT) / 10 a.m. (ET) | Valencia vs. Getafe | Sky Go / beIN Sports Connect | 1-0 |
| Saturday, Dec. 19 | 5.15 p.m. (GMT) / 12.15 p.m. (ET) | Espanyol vs. Las Palmas | Sky Go / beIN Sports Connect | 2-1 |
| Saturday, Dec. 19 | 7.30 p.m. (GMT) / 2.30 p.m. (ET) | Real Betis vs. Sevilla | Sky Go / beIN Sports Connect | 2-2 |
| Saturday, Dec. 19 | 9.05 p.m. (GMT) / 4.05 p.m. (ET) | Deportivo La Coruna vs. Eibar | Sky Go / beIN Sports Connect | 0-0 |
| Sunday, Dec. 20 | 3 p.m. (GMT) / 10 a.m. (ET) | Real Madrid vs. Rayo Vallecano | Sky Go / beIN Sports Connect | 4-1 |
| Sunday, Dec. 20 | 5.15 p.m. (GMT) / 12.15 p.m. (ET) | Athletic Bilbao vs. Levante | Sky Go / beIN Sports Connect | 2-0 |
| Sunday, Dec. 20 | 5.15 p.m. (GMT) / 12.15 p.m. (ET) | Granada vs. Celta Vigo | Sky Go / beIN Sports Connect | 1-3 |
| Sunday, Dec. 20 | 5.15 p.m. (GMT) / 12.15 p.m. (ET) | Real Sociedad vs. Villarreal | Sky Go / beINSports Connect | 1-1 |
| Sunday, Dec. 20 | 7.30 p.m. (GMT) / 2.30 p.m. (ET) | Malaga vs. Atletico Madrid | Sky Go / beIN Sports Connect | 0-1 |
Valencia vs. Getafe
Former Manchester United star Gary Neville will be looking for the first league win of his managerial career on Saturday but faces an absentee crisis as a large chunk of his squad are missing through injury and suspension.
Diego Alves, Sofiane Feghouli, Enzo Perez, Rodrigo and Zakaria Bakkali are all expected to miss the tie due to injury, according to WhoScored.com. Lucas Orban and Javi Fuego will both serve suspensions. However, Daniel Parejo is expected to return after his recent ban, easing Neville's first-team worries.
The No. 10 has impressed this term, despite Valencia's inconsistent form, scoring four times in 10 La Liga starts, per WhoScored. He also has a couple of assists to his name, and the 26-year-old is a fundamental part to Los Che's potential climb up the ladder.
Neville has already attempted to bring a new technical approach with him from England, and he has armed his players with iPads during training sessions, as reported by Reuters (h/t the Daily Mail.)
Assistant Miguel Angel Angulo explained the new boss is deftly overcoming the language barrier as he takes command of matters at Valencia, per Reuters:
"He has given an iPad to each player to help them follow training and different actions during games.
He is doing better than I expected. I thought the language barrier would be more of a problem. Gary has already started to speak a little Spanish and he is improving quickly. There is a good understanding with the players asking him or me what is wanted.
It won't take long before we can demonstrate the style of football that we want.
"
Getafe arrive at the Mestalla with a poor set of results and shaky form, winning only one in their last six league games, per Sky Sports.
If Valencia can grasp Neville's tactics quickly, the visitors are there for the taking.
As a former defensive player, Neville will not want to give anything away to his lowly opponents, but with so many injuries it might be difficult for the team to play to its potential.
Valencia should grab a clean sheet against Getafe on Saturday, and manufacture a slim home victory for their new coach to celebrate.
Prediction: Valencia win 1-0.
Malaga vs. Atletico Madrid
As turmoil engulfs Real Madrid under the tenure of manager Rafael Benitez, Atletico Madrid go from strength to strength in the Spanish league.
Simeone has continued to obtain a tune from his best talent, and he has created a strong mentality at the Calderon.
Atleti will go three points clear if they take a victory from their travels to Malaga, but there could be more long-term issues for the club as Simeone is linked with the vacant Chelsea manager's position.
The Times' Rory Smith said he believes the Argentinian could be on his way to Stamford Bridge:
There will be a stay of execution if Chelsea take on an interim boss, but there will now be fears the team could be compromised if Simeone's head is turned.
However, Atleti are on a nine-game winning streak in all competitions and will expect to take the three points against an underwhelming Malaga side.
Los Boquerones have suffered this season and have failed to get out of second gear as they try to hit previous standards, but they will not be expecting too much sympathy from their capital city opposition.
Atletico need to hold onto their league status until the New Year, and come out the other side of the reduced winter break ahead of Los Blancos.
The gap to third is currently five points, and with Simeone's men on one of their most consistent runs since they were last champions, the Galacticos cannot afford any further slips in the league table.
Prediction: Atletico win 1-0.
