Madrid, Jan 2 (NationPress) The much-anticipated La Liga is set to resume this weekend, featuring a thrilling Barcelona derby, the debut of two new coaches, and the notable absence of Kylian Mbappe.

In this context, FC Barcelona aims to widen their lead over their fierce rivals, Real Madrid. Currently, the Catalan giants hold a four-point advantage, boasting 46 points compared to Real Madrid's 42. Barcelona has triumphed in 15 of their 18 matches, while Real Madrid has secured victories in 13 out of 18 games.

Atletico Madrid sits in third place with 37 points from 18 matches, while Villarreal is trailing closely with 35 points from 16 games, according to reports from Xinhua.

Here are some key highlights to watch for in Spain's football scene over the next few days:

1. Can Espanyol Upset Barcelona?

League leaders FC Barcelona will clash with their local rivals, Espanyol, in the season's first Barcelona derby. Espanyol is currently in their best form in years, having achieved five consecutive La Liga victories, placing them fifth in the league standings.

The success of Espanyol has stemmed from a strong defensive line and their proficiency in set pieces, with half of their goals resulting from free kicks and corners. Barcelona's defense has shown vulnerabilities during set pieces, making it essential for a squad featuring Lamine Yamal, Pedri, Raphinha, and Marcus Rashford to deliver offensively.

2. Mbappe's Absence: A Blow for Alonso

The knee injury to Mbappe means he will be absent from Sunday’s home game against Betis, raising doubts about his availability for the upcoming Spanish Supercup. This development is particularly challenging for coach Xabi Alonso.

Although his team secured a 2-0 victory against Sevilla before Christmas, ensuring his position as Real Madrid's coach until 2026, there is a pressing need to clinch the Supercup to secure his future. First, however, they must contend with a formidable Betis squad without the player responsible for half of their La Liga goals.

Alonso also faces further challenges, missing players like Brahim Diaz, Eder Militao, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Dani Carvajal. He will rely on Vinicius Jr and Rodrygo to step up during this crucial week.

3. Challenging Starts for Matarazzo and Castro

Pellegrino Matarazzo is set to make his debut as coach of Real Sociedad in a tough home match against Atletico Madrid, while Luis Castro will take charge of bottom club Levante in his inaugural match against Sevilla.

Having previously coached Stuttgart and Hoffenheim, Matarazzo will be looking to harness the potential of a talented squad that includes players like Goncalo Guedes, Carlos Soler, Brais Mendez, and Mikel Oyarzabal. While facing Atletico will be a challenging debut, Matarazzo's team should hold their ground.

Conversely, Castro's mission to keep Levante afloat will be even tougher, as the team that won promotion last season currently lacks quality, compounded by the absence of top scorer Etta Eyong due to the African Cup of Nations.

4. Anticipate Excitement in Elche

Elche has emerged as one of the season's surprises, with coach Eder Sarabia guiding the newly promoted team to ninth place through a commendable possession-based style of play.

Elche's effectiveness at home poses a significant challenge for Villarreal, who are looking to rebound after a setback against FC Barcelona that hindered their title aspirations. Currently, Villarreal is 11 points behind Barcelona but has played two matches less, making a victory in Elche crucial. Villarreal plans to apply pressure high up the field to allow players like Ayoze Perez and Nicolas Pepe to use their speed effectively.

Sarabia, who began his coaching career with the Villarreal youth team, will find this encounter especially meaningful.