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Here, AFP Sport examines five points of discussion before the 24th day.
Coutinho is a concern
When Ousmane Dembele injured his ankle in January, the door was open for Philippe Coutinho to stand out at Barca. Instead, he delivered a series of jaded performances that left some doubting even about his long-term future.
Now that Dembele is in shape again, it remains to be seen if the Brazilian will leave Saturday against Real Valladolid. Ernesto Valverde said he appreciated the fact that Coutinho is a gambler who takes risks, but his game lacks confidence and clarity, suggesting that he's still not sure of his job.
Messi fitness in the honor
Lionel Messi left the bench against Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey, before taking part in the draw against Athletic Bilbao, but was not fully fit in either of the two matches.
A clear week may have given Messi time to free his thighs, but Valverde has another decision to take this weekend, including the first leg against Lyon in the upcoming Champions League on Tuesday.
Valverde has been accused of exhausting key players last season at the expense of their chances in Europe. But three draws away and the resurgence of Real mean that he can not let the momentum soar further.
Vinicius leads an attack in Madrid
"He showed how good he could be," said Ajax coach Erik Ten Hag, after Vinicius Junior terrorized his defense in Wednesday's 2-1 defeat by Real Madrid.
Vinicius' performances tend to follow a similar pattern, with her young age often showing herself in erratic and excessive decision-making. But the electric moments that have made the striker one of the first names in the game in recent weeks are scattered.
At one point, Santiago Solari might think that the 18-year-old needs a break in his first season. Still, his form seems too good to interrupt, although it is very deep now that Gareth Bale and Marco Asensio are back from injury, not to mention Lucas Vazquez, which has always been a staple under Solari. Madrid has options, just when they need them.
Simeone with challenges to take up
Atletico Madrid on Thursday announced that Diego Simeone had extended his contract as a coach until 2022 and that few people could say that Argentina's involvement in its future would Is not great news for the club.
But two defeats by La Liga on the rebound, against Real Betis and Real Madrid, have questioned the seriousness of their challenge to the title.
Diego Costa may be back after his injury for the trip to Rayo Vallecano on Saturday, but Atleti has scored nearly half as many goals as Barcelona in the league, a deficit difficult to cover, as tight as the defense.
Race for the top four is getting warmer
Sevilla was top of the league in November, but now finds herself leading an increasingly restricted group of candidates for the last qualifying position of the Champions League.
Getafe, two points off the defensive, has the second best defense of the division and Alaves advance only by the difference in goals. Betis will have the feeling of being in the race, taking only five points from fourth to seventh place, just like Valencia, a point below.
None of the prosecutors have been consistent since the beginning of the year and this could result in fewer distractions. Sevilla and Betis are both involved in the Europa League, as well as the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey, their opponents in Valencia.
Calendar (GMT)
Friday
Eibar v Getafe (2000)
Saturday
Celta Vigo v Levante (1200), Rayo Vallecano v Atletico Madrid (1515), Real Sociedad v Leganes (1730), Barcelona v Real Valladolid (1945)
Sunday
Real Madrid v Girona (1200), Valencia v Espanyol (1515), Villarreal v Seville (1730), Real Betis v Alaves (1945)
On Monday
Huesca v Athletic Bilbao (2000)
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