MADRID, Jan. 2 (Xinhua) -- Real Madrid, Girona and Atletico Madrid are all in action on Wednesday night in what could be a vital day to help decide the destiny of this season's LaLiga title.
Several Real Madrid players return from injury for what looks like a routine home game against Mallorca.
Dani Carvajal, Vinicius Jr and Eduardo Camavinga should be able to play some part against Javier Aguirre's side, although Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti still has long-term injuries in David Alba, Eder Militao and Thibaut Courtois, while Ferland Mendy misses out with a muscle strain.
Nacho Fernandez's suspension means Fran Garica will get a chance at left back, while Aurelian Tchouameni will probably continue in central defense.
Girona kicks off 2024 level on 45 points with Real Madrid and with what most would have considered impossible title dreams at the start of the season, still alive.
Girona's hopes, and Atletico Madrid's, could depend on what happens between the two sides when Atletico visits Girona's Montilivi Stadium.
Atletico kicks off seven points behind Girona and Real Madrid and a defeat would see it slip to 10 behind and almost certainly out of the title race, while another win for Girona would be a huge morale boost.
Central defender David Lopez is out injured for the home side, but Michel Sanchez will look to his side's impressive home record, which has only seen it drop points in a defeat to Real Madrid and a draw at home to Athletic Club so far this campaign.
Wednesday's other two games are a dramatic relegation duel between Granada and Cadiz, with Granada looking for just its second win of the season against a side that is just above the relegation zone and without a win since the first of September.
Celta Vigo could climb above Cadiz and out of the drop zone if it wins its game at home to seventh place Betis in a game affected by the African Nations Cup that has seen Celta loses Jonathan Bamba to hosts Cote d'Ivoire, while Ez Abde, Chadi Riad and Youssouf Sabaly, who have also been called up for the tournament. ■
