BARCA, REAL RESUME LA LIGA CHASE
Barcelona thumped Real Madrid 3-0 in their last game of 2017 to open up a 14-point gap between the two. HT looks at how the La Liga giants are placed as they resume after the winter break: NO ROOM FOR ERROR
Real are currently fourth in the league, three points shy of third placed Valenica but have a game in hand. Zinedine Zidane’s men cannot afford any more slip-ups if they are to keep the pressure on rivals Barcelona who are 14-points clear of them. Cristiano Ronaldo, who has scored just four times this campaign, will surely have to hit the ground running. RAMOS BLOW
Real’s defensive problems this season have cost them dearly and centre-back Serigo Ramos’ injury is not going to make it any easier as they prepare for a tough trip to Celta Vigo. Celta have scored as many goals in the league as Real this term (30) with forward Iago Aspas having netted 11 goals already. Ramos is also set to miss Real’s home game against Villareal. BALE BOOST
Gareth Bale’s return from injury will surely be a boost for the defending champions with the Welshman scoring his first goal since September on Wednesday night. With Karim Benzema out injured, Bale’s return will provide Zidane with an alternative option in attack. UNBEATEN STREAK Barcelona sit on the top of the La Liga table with a nine-point lead. They have conceded only seven times in the league -- the best defensive record in the Spanish league. If Barca can maintain their form, with possible additions on their way, they remain strong favourites to lift their 25th league title. DEMBELE RETURNS
Barcelona will be boosted by the return of their marquee summer signing Ousmane Dembele after a hamstring injury had sidelined him for four months. The French international, who made a brief appearance in their 1-1 draw against Cetla Vigo in the Copa del Rey on Wednesday night will be eager to prove his 96 million euro price tag. IMMINENT SIGNINGS
Talks of the arrival of Philippe Coutinho from Liverpool are growing stronger by the hour. And should Barcelona manage to bring the Brazilian midfielder to the Camp Nou this January, manager Ernesto Valverde’s already star-studded midfield will bear an even more fearsome look. Another addition could be that of centre-back Yerry Mina from Palmeiras.