MADRID - The Spanish league returns this week after a two-week hiatus.
Barcelona and Atletico Madrid lead the league with 40 points, and a rejuvenated Real Madrid is only three points behind.
Atletico and Barcelona are scheduled to meet next month.
Neymar is finally taking command of Barcelona's attack with Lionel Messi out injured.
The Brazil striker finally scored in the Champions League after six games, notching a hat trick in Wednesday's 6-1 victory over Celtic.
"I needed a game like this," Neymar said. "Let's hope I can keep it going."
Neymar's performance featured all of the qualities Barcelona supporters were waiting for from a player the club paid $74-million about (R766-million) for. "He's getting better and better," Barcelona coach Gerardo Martino said.
"That [first] goal lifted his confidence and after that he deployed his entire repertoire."
Neymar has played mostly on the left wing, but has also been moved into the middle of the field, an area where Messi creates many of his goals.
Barca have won two straight games since losing two in a row to recover their confidence going into another complicated league contest with Villarreal visiting the Camp Nou tomorrow. Villarreal, meanwhile, are fifth in the league and go into contest after beating Indonesian club Mitra Kucar 13-0 in a midweek friendly match.
Meanwhile, Cristiano Ronaldo showed no signs of rust in his return from a hamstring injury, scoring in Tuesday's 2-0 win at FC Copenhagen.
While the Portugal forward did have a penalty saved, he still managed to set a Champions League record with nine goals scored in group play.
Ronaldo is on pace for the best season of his career, with 26 goals scored in 19 games - not including the eight goals he's scored for Portugal since September. "I played well, not my best, but I helped the team with a goal and by creating dangerous opportunities," Ronaldo said. "I'm very happy."
Ronaldo can expect a rude reception in Pamplona tomorrow with Osasuna's Sadar Stadium always a hostile ground.
Weekend's fixtures:
Levante vs Elche
Osasuna vs Real Madrid, Rayo Vallecano vs Granada, Barcelona vs Villarreal, Málaga vs Getafe
Almería vs Espanyol, Real Sociedad vs Real, Sevilla vs Athletic Club, Atletico Madrid vs Valencia
Real Valladolid vs Celta Vigo.
Neymar in command
MADRID - The Spanish league returns this week after a two-week hiatus.
Barcelona and Atletico Madrid lead the league with 40 points, and a rejuvenated Real Madrid is only three points behind.
Atletico and Barcelona are scheduled to meet next month.
Neymar is finally taking command of Barcelona's attack with Lionel Messi out injured.
The Brazil striker finally scored in the Champions League after six games, notching a hat trick in Wednesday's 6-1 victory over Celtic.
"I needed a game like this," Neymar said. "Let's hope I can keep it going."
Neymar's performance featured all of the qualities Barcelona supporters were waiting for from a player the club paid $74-million about (R766-million) for. "He's getting better and better," Barcelona coach Gerardo Martino said.
"That [first] goal lifted his confidence and after that he deployed his entire repertoire."
Neymar has played mostly on the left wing, but has also been moved into the middle of the field, an area where Messi creates many of his goals.
Barca have won two straight games since losing two in a row to recover their confidence going into another complicated league contest with Villarreal visiting the Camp Nou tomorrow. Villarreal, meanwhile, are fifth in the league and go into contest after beating Indonesian club Mitra Kucar 13-0 in a midweek friendly match.
Meanwhile, Cristiano Ronaldo showed no signs of rust in his return from a hamstring injury, scoring in Tuesday's 2-0 win at FC Copenhagen.
While the Portugal forward did have a penalty saved, he still managed to set a Champions League record with nine goals scored in group play.
Ronaldo is on pace for the best season of his career, with 26 goals scored in 19 games - not including the eight goals he's scored for Portugal since September. "I played well, not my best, but I helped the team with a goal and by creating dangerous opportunities," Ronaldo said. "I'm very happy."
Ronaldo can expect a rude reception in Pamplona tomorrow with Osasuna's Sadar Stadium always a hostile ground.
Weekend's fixtures:
Levante vs Elche
Osasuna vs Real Madrid, Rayo Vallecano vs Granada, Barcelona vs Villarreal, Málaga vs Getafe
Almería vs Espanyol, Real Sociedad vs Real, Sevilla vs Athletic Club, Atletico Madrid vs Valencia
Real Valladolid vs Celta Vigo.
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