LaLiga in Spain wastes no time in getting 2024 underway with a round of midweek matches to welcome in the New Year. Here are some things to look forward to in the next three days as the season reaches its midway point.

1 Effect of African and Asian Cup

The New Year gets underway with nearly every team in LaLiga affected by either the African Cup of Nations or the Asian Cup (both in Real Sociedad's case) and that will see key players jet off for international tournaments.

Real Madrid, Barcelona and Osasuna are unaffected by the competition, but side such as Real Sociedad, who loses Umar Sadiq, Hamari Traore and Take Kubo could suffer.

Athletic Club Bilbao's in-form Inaki Williams has left to play for Ghana and other players will have to step up, while Youssef En-Nesyri will be a big loss for Sevilla when the two teams play on Thursday.

With the Copa del Rey meaning a series of midweek matches, the loss of key players will put a strain on several squads.

2 Big game between Girona and Atletico Madrid

Second place Girona has without doubt been the success story of the season as it sits level on 45 points with Real Madrid - seven clear of third place Atletico Madrid, who is the next visitor to the Montilivi Stadium.

Atletico started to look tired before Christmas as its European commitments began to take its toll, but the Christmas break should have allowed it to reset its batteries.

So far only Real Madrid has won in Montilivi as Girona has swept virtually all before it with its attacking football. The big question now is, can Atletico stop it? Because if not, Diego Simeone's men can probably forget any title ambitions.

3 Las Palmas test for Barcelona

FC Barcelona ended 2023 looking far from convincing and with questions being asked about coach Xavi Hernandez.

While Barca still has a chance of the title, it can't afford to drop many more points and the visit to Las Palmas looks as if it could be a potential banana skin. The newly promoted side has impressed with its passing game and solid defense that has conceded just 15 goals all season.

With Barca struggling at times to score goals, the visit to the Canary Islands will be a stiff test and it will be interesting to see if Xavi risks new signing Victor Roque, who some are presenting as a possible savior, despite only being 18 years old.

4 Massive game in Granada

Second from bottom Granada doesn't look to have improved since Alexander Medina replaced Paco Lopez in the dugout and it remains second from bottom of the season with just eight points from 18 games, seven from safety, with 17th place in LaLiga held by Cadiz.

Cadiz travels to Granada without a win since September 1, although it has drawn its last four LaLiga matches. With just 14 goals all season, it's not hard to see what Cadiz's problem is, but it will look at Granada's lamentable defensive record of 40 goals conceded and think it has a chance of ending its winless streak.

If Cadiz wins it will leave Granada 10 points behind, so if Granada is to have any chance of survival, a home win is vital in what is likely to be a very tense game, that will probably be decided by the odd goal. 

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