After a break in league action for the Christmas holiday, Spain’s soccer race heats back up to wrap up 2015 with all four top teams in action before the start of the New Year, and January transfer window.

This year’s title race is a bit more crowded than the past few years. For a time it was just Barcelona and Real Madrid battling each other at the top, then came Atlético Madrid to earn them a title and still remain a contender.

Now though, Galician side Celta Vigo have positioned themselves to within striking distance of the title, only four points off the lead. If they can steal a win from one of the top three clubs, while they all beat up on each other, they might be lifting the championship trophy at season’s end. Though more likely is that they hang on for a Champions League spot, an excellent consolation for this club.

One can’t count out Villarreal from factoring in on the race. Currently fifth and five points behind, they are always a sneaky team that plays everyone tough. They are known within Spain as a great defensive squad that can take down Barça, Atlético or Real without it being a surprise. Forward Roberto Soldado has played with the national team and once was the league’s top goal scorer before going to play in the Premier League for a spell.

Atlético Madrid likely had a less enjoyable Christmas holiday after they slipped up against Málaga, losing 1-0 and failing to take sole possession of first place. Tonight though they should get a confidence boost as they travel to the other side of town to face Rayo Vallecano.

If Atletí had a somber holiday, then Rayo was more pissed off than a seven-year-old who got coal in their stocking. They were absolutely humiliated by Real Madrid to the tune of 10-2, with two of their players having been sent off.

Rayo will be without those two, Roman Triguero and Raul Baena, and are sitting dead last in the La Liga table. Diego Simeone’s side could not have asked for a better opponent to return to action with, although they should be careful as they concluded with a 0-0 draw in the last match of last season.

Barcelona host Sevilla side Real Betis tonight in what will be Leo Messi’s 500^th appearance for the club. Even though Betis sit in the middle of the league table, there is the off chance they can catch the Catalans off guard.

Having to travel to Japan to play – and win – the FIFA Club Championship, they’ve had to travel and play more than any other team in Spain. Couple that with being a bit short handed due to their transfer ban, and who knows, they might not have the energy that a team with the proper rest and reinforcements would have.

If how things stand as 2015 comes to a close, 2016 should be more interesting than usual in Spanish soccer. More teams are in contention, but there is still the potential for big name and big money transfers to kick off the year in the January transfer window. Especially with Real Madrid needing to do something to placate their dire thirst for a championship of some sort in 2016.

Photo: Flickr/El Renzo