Preview: Matchday 16 sees Real Madrid play last league game of 2018

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MADRID, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- Real Madrid will play their last Liga Santander game of 2018 on Saturday when they entertain Rayo Vallecano in the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in Matchday 16 in Spain.

Real Madrid miss the following weekend’s matches due to their commitments in the FIFA Club World Cup and Saturday represents their last chance to increase the pressure on league leaders, FC Barcelona.

Last weekend’s results left the Liga Santander with a more familiar look about it with Barcelona top of the table, followed by Sevilla and Atletico Madrid, with Real Madrid moving into fourth with their narrow win away to bottom of the table Huesca.

Solari rested key players in midweek and saw a team made up of fringe players lose 3-0 at home to CSKA Moscow in the Champions League, with Gareth Bale suffering an ankle injury which could sideline him against Rayo.

With Bale out, the Madrid coach will have to decide whether Marco Asensio or Vinicius Jr replace the Welshman in the starting lineup.

Rayo are currently second from bottom of the table and will be without striker Raul de Tomas, who is on loan from Real Madrid.

The round of games kicks off on Friday with a game between Celta Vigo and Leganes, who have both climbed away from the relegation zone in recent weeks.

Saturday starts with a very solid Getafe entertaining Real Sociedad, who have taken more than twice as many points away from home (13) as they have in their own Anoeta Stadium.

Valladolid ended a run of four games without a win with their 2-1 victory against Real Sociedad last weekend, but have a difficult home game against Atletico Madrid.

Atletico have a long injury list, including Diego Costa, Lucas Hernandez, Jose Gimenez and Juanfran, while Thomas Lemar is also a doubt for the trip to the Nuevo Zorrilla Stadium.

Valencia claimed a morale boosting win at home to Manchester United on Wednesday, but will be without the injured Goncalo Guedes for the difficult trip to play Eibar. Valencia have taken just one point from their last two matches, while last weekend Eibar played a thrilling 4-4 draw at home to Levante.

Sevilla could momentarily go level on points with FC Barcelona if they beat Girona in the midday kickoff on Sunday, but it will be a tough game for Sevilla after their must win Europa League game at home to Krasnodar on Thursday.

Girona have only lost once away from home all season and that was to a controversial last minute penalty against Athletic Club Bilbao on Monday night.

Espanyol need to end a 4-game losing streak on Sunday when they entertain Betis, who have won their last 4 matches in all competitions.

Luis Garcia makes his league debut for Villarreal after replacing the sacked Javier Calleja last weekend. Villarreal visit Huesca, who are without a home win in their debut season in the top-flight despite pushing Real Madrid all the way last weekend.

Villarreal also have a key Europa League match on Thursday in which they have to avoid defeat to qualify for the next stage of the tournament.

Sunday ends with Barca, who rested key players in midweek, facing a tough visit to play Levante and perhaps the biggest doubt for Ernesto Valverde is whether he starts with Phillipe Coutinho or the in-form Ousmane Dembele in attack.

The round of matches ends on Monday with a Basque derby between Alaves and Athletic Club, who travel boosted by last Monday’s dramatic win over Girona. Enditem

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