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While the Premier League plugs away with its traditional festive fixture schedule – even in the midst of an Omicron surge across the country – the other four major European leagues are taking a well-deserved rest.
It’s been an action packed start to the season for LaLiga, Serie A, Ligue 1 and the Bundesliga, with some teams running away with the title while other divisions are offering up a fascinating contest between a handful of sides at the top.
There are also some big name outfits struggling to make their way up the standings – with Barcelona still finding their feet under new boss Xavi and Juventus well off the pace in Italy.
Sportsmail provides the state of play and explains the biggest talking points in all four of the major European leagues.
The four big European leagues have taken a winter pause, with some teams cruising and others fighting for glory this season
LALIGA
Top four: Real Madrid, Sevilla, Real Betis, Rayo Vallecano
It’s a new era in Spain’s top flight without Lionel Messi, and fans have certainly been served up a few surprises with some unlikely challengers for the top four spots.
It’s Rayo Vallecano who have produced arguably the biggest shock, with coach Andoni Iraola lifting the Spanish minnows into fourth place, above both Atletico Madrid and Barcelona.
Real Betis, meanwhile, were knocking on the door of the top four last season and now look serious about gatecrashing it – they are third on 33 points, but still five off the current second placed side Sevilla.
LaLiga fans are so used to seeing Barcelona challenging with Real for the league crown, but it is the six-time Europa League winners – coached by Julen Lopetegui – who are pushing them closest. Sevilla have lost just twice, with 11 victories, but remain eight points off the pace, albeit it with a game in hand.
Madrid look like the clear favourites to take home the trophy under new boss Carlo Ancelotti, whose side have lost just once, with 14 wins and scoring…
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Source : dailymail
