La Liga Fixtures 2016 Week 25: Schedule, Live Stream Info, Picks and Key Players
Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid face stern tests in La Liga's title race as they take on Villarreal and Malaga, respectively, on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Barcelona have the chance to put some pressure on their rivals the day before when they travel to face struggling Las Palmas.
Gary Neville will be looking to build on his first win as Valencia manager when he takes Los Che to Granada.
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Read on for a look at the key players to watch in Week 25, but first here is the full schedule complete with predictions and live stream info:
| Friday, Feb. 19 | 7:30 p.m./2:30 p.m. | Levante vs. Getafe | 0-0 |
| Saturday, Feb. 20 | 3 p.m./10 a.m. | Las Palmas vs. Barcelona | 0-3 |
| Saturday, Feb. 20 | 5:15 p.m./12:15 p.m. | Espanyol vs. Deportivo La Coruna | 1-1 |
| Saturday, Feb. 20 | 7:30 p.m./2:30 p.m. | Real Betis vs. Sporting Gijon | 1-0 |
| Saturday, Feb. 20 | 9:05 p.m./4:05 p.m. | Celta Vigo vs. Eibar | 1-2 |
| Sunday, Feb. 21 | 11 a.m./6 a.m. | Rayo Vallecano vs. Sevilla | 2-2 |
| Sunday, Feb. 21 | 3 p.m./10 a.m. | Malaga vs. Real Madrid | 1-2 |
| Sunday, Feb. 21 | 5:15 p.m./12:15 p.m. | Athletic Bilbao vs. Real Sociedad | 0-2 |
| Sunday, Feb. 21 | 5:15 p.m./12:15 p.m. | Granada vs. Valencia | 0-1 |
| Sunday, Feb. 21 | 7:30 p.m./2:30 p.m. | Atletico Madrid vs. Villarreal | 1-0 |
All matches can be streamed live via Sky Go or beIN Sports Connect.
James Rodriguez, Real Madrid
Because of a fairly lengthy injury absence early in the season—which saw him lose his regular starting position under former manager Rafa Benitez—James Rodriguez has often struggled to show his best for Los Blancos this season.
Indeed, the Colombian arguably still isn't at his peak form- or fitness-wise, though he has enjoyed a more significant run in the team after featuring only as a substitute in head coach Zinedine Zidane's first two games in charge.
As WhoScored.com reveals, Rodriguez is building up a head of steam in La Liga, though:
In his last domestic outing, the 24-year-old restored Real's lead over Athletic Bilbao to make the score 2-1 in spectacular fashion as he cut inside and rifled a delightful effort in from distance.
Spanish football commentator Eduardo Alvarez hailed his ability to shoot from long range and the timing of his goal:
Even when not at his best, Rodriguez retains the ability to produce moments of magic out of nothing—be it an accurate, powerful shot or an incisive defence-splitting pass.
Against a Malaga side that has conceded just 21 goals this season, Los Blancos may well need a similar contribution—particularly if the trip proves to be yet another game away from the Bernabeu where they struggle to find their rhythm in the final third.
Alvaro Negredo, Valencia
An equally important player for his side is Valencia's Alvaro Negredo, and like Rodriguez, the Spaniard is not yet at his best.
The striker has been given a new lease of life under Neville and is on a relatively impressive goalscoring run.
As football journalists Dermot Corrigan and Richard Martin noted, however, the former Manchester City man should have scored many more times in recent weeks:
Nevertheless, Negredo has helped Valencia slowly accrue points and played a key role in earning Neville his first league win. He came off the bench against Espanyol to inspire a comeback when he cancelled out Oscar Duarte's opener before Denis Cheryshev netted the winner five minutes later.
The English coach has firmly put his faith in Negredo, according to Squawka News:
Against Granada, who have lost five of their last six and shipped the joint-most goals in La Liga with 49, Los Che have a golden opportunity to win again and, as in previous games, should be able to create plenty of chances for Negredo.
If Negredo is at his best, he'd likely be able to take several. Because of Granada's struggles, it could well be enough to secure three points just by taking one.
