As things stand, one team has established a very comfortable margin over the chasing pack. That team is none other than Real Madrid, arguably the most successful team in not just Spain, but in Europe. Now under the tutelage of Carlo Ancelotti one again, Los Blancos have gone from strength to strength, and will come into their highly anticipated-clash this weekend boasting a ten point gap over their upcoming opponents.
Here's all you need to know ahead of matchday 17.
La Liga standings heading into matchday 17
Here's how the top five looks heading into matchday 17
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La Liga games you won't want to miss on matchday 17
Athletic Club vs Sevilla: Sevilla are another team off to a blistering start, and as we get closer towards the halfway point of the season, they'll be looking to close out 2021 on a high note. They suffered a 1-0 loss to Austrian side Salzburg and with Betis, Atleti, and Real Sociedad on their tails, will want to get back to winning ways when they travel to face Athletic Club.
Osasuna vs Barcelona: It's back to the drawing board once again for struggling Barcelona, who will now be featuring in the Europa League after their humiliating 3-0 loss to Bayern Munich. Playing the Bavarian side has become a very frustrating ordeal for the Blaugrana, who needed a win to qualify for the round of 16, but their loss, coupled with Benfica's last-gasp means that Xavi's team will have to try their luck in European club football's secondary competition.
The visitors come into this match having lost 1-0 to Real Betis in their last league game, and will be hoping to avoid making it three consecutive losses against Osasuna, who have picked up just two points from their last five games.
Real Betis vs Real Sociedad: Things have been very interesting in the Spanish top flight this season, especially with two teams - Real Betis and Real Sociedad - making a surprising push for a Champions League berth. Indeed, these two teams sit in third and fifth respectively ahead of their contest this weekend and are actually in pole position to qualify for next season's Champions League if they can keep up their respective strong starts to the season.
Real Madrid vs Atlético Madrid: The latest installment of the famous Madrid derby gets underway this Sunday, but the only thing Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid have in common at this point is the city they both call home. Atlético Madrid, who are currently the reigning champs in La Liga, will come into this contest sitting in fourth place, a whopping ten behind the league leaders. Diego Simeone's men rebounded well following their surprise 2-1 loss to Mallorca at the weekend to beat Porto 3-1 in their midweek Champions League tie, but will certainly face a very tough task ahead at the Santiago Bernabeu, where they've won just 15 times (D15 L54).
Meanwhile, hosts Real Madrid continue to cruise along well, with five wins from their last five La Liga games ensuring that Ancelotti's troops have opened a very comfortable gap for themselves at the top of the table. Los Blancos also recorded a resounding 2-0 win over Inter midweek to make it five consecutive wins in the Champions League and finish their group stage campaign as winners, ahead of the Nerazzurri. It's been over five years since Real lost to their city rivals at this ground in the league, and they naturally will be looking to preserve that record when these two titans collide on Sunday.
Team news for matchday 17
Here's who's out or in doubt for matchday 17
*All info as of 9 December 2021
Real Madrid: Dani Ceballos (Ankle Injury)
Atletico Madrid: José María Giménez (Muscle Injury), Sime Vrsaljko (Facial Fracture), Kieran Trippier (Shoulder Injury), Luis Suárez (Muscle Injury)
Barcelona: Ansu Fati (Hamstring Injury), Jordi Alba (Hamstring Injury), Martin Braithwaite (Knee Injury), Pedri (Muscle Injury), Sergio Agüero (Heart Condition), Sergi Roberto (Muscle Injury)
Sevilla: Jesús Navas (Muscle Injury), Erik Lamela (Shoulder Injury), Suso (Muscle Injury), Youssef En-Nesyri (Muscle Injury)
Real Sociedad: David Silva (Muscle Injury), Mikel Merino (Hamstring Injury), Nacho Monreal (Knee Injury), Carlos Fernández (Cruciate Ligament Rupture)
Real Betis: No notable injuries or suspensions
