LaLiga Matchday 19 Preview: Marcelino takes Villarreal to Valencia; Las Palmas coach Pimienta due Barcelona reunion

The first LALIGA EA SPORTS matchday of 2024 is a special one, as Matchday 19 marks the midway point of the season and it takes place in midweek, which always creates a unique atmosphere. There are several high-profile fixtures coming up, ones we've had to hold off until Matchday 19 for but which are sure to be worth the wait.

Tuesday January 2nd is the first day of LALIGA EA SPORTS football in 2024 and all three of the games taking place that evening are regional rivalries. The very first fixture of the new year is a Madrid derby clash between Getafe CF and Rayo Vallecano. For Los Azulones, they come in to the new year full of confidence after finishing 2023 with a spectacular draw away at Atlético de Madrid at the Estadio Cívitas Metropolitano. It's at this same stadium that this fixture against Rayo Vallecano will be taking place, so Getafe CF will hope to keep their positive run going.

Next up is a Basque derby between Real Sociedad and Deportivo Alavés at the Reale Arena. Both teams enjoyed a special 2023 as they achieved their respective objectives, and they'll now hope to begin 2024 on the front foot.

The action then moves to the Valencian Community for Valencia CF vs Villarreal CF, a game which will see all eyes turn to Marcelino, the recently appointed Villarreal CF coach who brought a lot of success to Mestalla during his time in charge of Valencia CF, not least by winning a Copa del Rey. He can expect a warm reception when he returns to his former club, but then both teams will fully focus on trying to secure the three points.

Four fixtures follow on the Wednesday of this midweek round and there is yet another derby, as Granada CF and Cádiz CF meet in the first game of the day. With both these Andalusian sides