The big two will go into next Wednesday’s “clásico” level on points at the top after Real Madrid drew 1-1 at Valencia on Sunday evening. Carlos Soler put the Ches in front with twelve minutes to go, but Benzema equalised in the fifth and final minute of stoppage time after Jaume could only push out a header from his opposite number Courtois, who had come up for a final corner. Third placed Sevilla drop four points below the joint leaders though after they were beaten 1-2 by Villarreal, Ekambi scoring the winner for the visitors after Munir had levelled it following an early headed goal by Albiol, and Getafe are now fourth after a 2-0 victory over Valladolid in the mid-day kick-off, Cucurella and Angel getting the goals for the locals. Further down the table, Espanyol drew 2-2 against Betis to stay below Leganés in bottom spot, first half strikes from Darder and Bernardo overturning a goal by ex-Espanyol striker Borja Iglesias, but Barta heading the equaliser after the restart. And the two teams just above them, Celta and Mallorca, also drew 2-2, Rafinha and Aspas twice giving the hosts the lead, but Salva Sevilla and Budimir pegging them back both times to keep the islanders a point above their opponents. (15.12.19)
Barcelona were held to a 2-2 draw by Real Sociedad on Saturday afternoon, and they could be off the top of the table if Real Madrid can beat Valencia tomorrow. Oyarzabal put the hosts ahead from the penalty spot after Busquets fouled Llorente early on, and although strikes by Griezmann and Luis Suárez either side of the break turned the scoreline around, Isak made it all square a few minutes later. Atlético Madrid are now fourth after they beat Osasuna 2-0 later in the evening, Morata heading his team in front from a Trippier free kick midway through the second half, and Saúl wrapping things up soon afterwards, and they move two points clear of Athletic Bilbao, who could only draw 0-0 at home to neighbours Eibar. Granada drop to ninth after they lost 1-2 to Levante, Bardhi getting a last gasp winner for the visitors after Machís had cancelled out Rochina’s second half opener, and on Friday Alavés and Leganés drew 1-1, Joselu saving a point for the hosts after Braithwaite had given the Madrid based side the lead. (14.12.19)