La Liga returns this weekend after a winter break that lasted an eternity. The third round of the FA Cup is also scheduled to be played this weekend, allowing the players very little rest after the mid-week league games.
We pick the best clash from each of the competitions and build you up to the games that will be played on Saturday and Sunday.
FA CUP
Fixture: Chelsea v Nottingham forest
Venue: Stamford Bridge
Date: 5th January, Saturday
Time: 19:00 GST
Chelsea
Injury-hit Chelsea host Nottingham Forest in the third round of the FA Cup in a fixture that could possibly be Cesc Fabregas’ last assignment with the Blues. The Spanish midfielder has won two Premier League titles, a League Cup and an FA Cup during his time at the London-based club and is tipped to join Monaco very soon. He could be crucial in this fixture too, with injuries to the likes of Andreas Christensen, Pedro and Oliver Giroud all testing Chelsea’s depth.
Forest will be confident after defeating Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds, who are currently on top of the Championship table. Chelsea thumped Forest 5-1 when the clubs met in the League Cup last season. Will we see a twist in the tale or more of the same?
LA LIGA
Fixture: Sevilla v Atletico Madrid
Venue: Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan
Date: 6th January, Sunday
Time: 19:15 GST
Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid will be travelling to the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan on Sunday to take on Pablo Machin’s Sevilla in a battle for second spot. The fact that Sevilla and Atletico Madrid are on eight and 14-game undefeated streaks respectively makes this fixture all the more intriguing.
Andre Silva and Wissam Ben Yedder will be looking to lead the hosts to a win that could prove decisive in the battle behind Barcelona. Antoine Griezmann has been the lone ranger for Los Colchoneros and the fact that Diego Costa will be missing the tie due to injury places a further burden on the Frenchman.