Marcelo Bielsa

Malaga are looking to hold on to fourth place while Athletic Bilbao are just trying to figure out how to stay above water.

There may not be a better story in La Liga at the moment than Espanyol and they'll look to continue their rise from relegation fodder to the mid-table with a match against sinking Real Betis. Barcelona travels to Granada while Real Madrid host Rayo.

Real Sociedad took advantage of an early red card against Real Zaragoza and moved past Real Betis into a Europa League spot. Espanyol continued their resurgence with a 4-0 demolition of Athletic Bilbao.

Atletico Madrid vs. Real Betis is the best match-up in terms of potential story lines this week as the Spanish Primera Division rolls on in to February

Three second half goals helped Athletic Bilbao cruise past second place Atletico Madrid

Deportivo La Coruña kicked off 2013 with a massive upset of Malaga while Levante added to Athletic Bilbao's misery, downing Marcelo Bielsa's side 3-1

What's wrong with Athletic Bilbao? After a really good 2011-2012 season, Marcelo Bielsa's team is having a really bad year so far.

With great talent, infectious enthusiasm and playing a thrilling, frantic style that has them near the top of South American qualifying, Colombia has become one of the world's most entertaining teams.

At the weekend it was the turn of La Liga to get underway but this Thursday night the focus switches to the Spanish Super Cup, which brings together last season’s Cup winners (Barça) and league champions (Real Madrid).

Bucharest was the venue for the last of FC Barcelona’s five preseason friendlies. The series has ended with three wins, 2-1 in Hamburg, 8-0 against Raja Club Athletic and 2-0 at Dinamo, and two draws, 2-2 in Paris and 0-0 with Manchester United.