Four things to look out for on Spain's matchday 18

MADRID, Jan. 5 (Xinhua) -- League football returns to Spain this weekend after the Christmas break with Barcelona nine points clear at the top of the table: here are four things to look out for in Spain' s matchday 18.

1. Is Diego Costa the answer for Atletico?

Atletico Madrid's season has been hampered by a lack of goals and an inability to break down well-organized opponents was on view again as they lost 1-0 away to Espanyol in the last game before the Christmas break.

Diego Simeone will be hoping that the return of Diego Costa will be the missing piece to the jigsaw. In his first spell at the club the Brazilian born forward showed his ability to bully rival defenses both in the air and on the ground and he was vital in the club's 2014 title win.

Getafe, Saturday's rivals in the Wanda are just the sort of side Atletico have found hard work this campaign, so everyone will be wondering if a Costa-Antoine Griezmann duo up front for Atletico will make the difference.

2: Barca to build on Classico win?

Barca's last game before the holidays was their impressive demolition of Real Madrid in the Classico; a result which put them 14 points ahead of their traditional rivals and a home win against Levante on Sunday would momentarily at least extend that lead to 17 points.

Coach Ernesto Valverde showed where his priorities lie as he left Leo Messi, Luis Suarez and Andres Iniesta in Barcelona for Thursday's King's Cup tie away to Celta Vigo.

On paper a Levante side that has slipped to 15th in the Liga Santander should be easy pickings, but it would be wrong to underestimate a rival that is unbeaten in their last six away games, while keeping three clean sheets in the process and Valverde knows that 3 points on Sunday are in many ways just as valuable as the 3 points from the Bernabeu.

3. Good day for a debut?

Sevilla's sacking of Eduardo Berizzo, less than a month after he had undergone a cancer operation and with the side fifth in the Liga Santander raised eyebrows and attracted criticism just before Christmas. The club have elected to replace Berizzo with former AC Milan boss Vincenzo Montella, who led them to a relatively comfortable win away to Cadiz in the Cup in midweek, However, Montella's league debut will be a totally different affair as they entertain local rivals, Betis on Saturday night.

The Seville derby is perhaps the bitterest local rivalry in Spain and it comes with both sides needing to pick up their form. Expect fouls and some of the dark footballing arts... but above all expect it to be an eye opener for Montella.

4. Can Real Madrid recover form in Vigo?

Real Madrid's away game against Celta Vigo comes with Zinedine Zidane's side still struggling for form. Although Madrid won their Cup game 3-0 away to Numancia on Thursday, the result was misleading after another less than impressive display was helped by the award of two penalties.

Celta, who took a point against Barca earlier in the season and held Barca to a draw in the Cup, promise to be a much bigger task and with pacey forwards, Iago Aspas and Pione Sisto likely to cause problems to a defense lacking the suspended Dani Carvajal, the side coached by former Barca assistant, Juan Carlos Unzue, could end Madrid's already slender title hopes for this season. Enditem