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La Liga is all set to return on Friday from a mini-winter break with Valencia hosting Espanyol. The 2021/22 season in the division is currently at the halfway mark with Real Madrid comfortably leading the table by eight points.
Defending champions Atletico Madrid have gone off the boil lately, losing four in succession to drop to fifth. Barcelona, meanwhile, are down in seventh position.
Promoted side Rayo Vallecano, who are currently fourth, have been the surprise package of the season. Levante are at the bottom and have yet to win a single match.
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We've been treated to plenty of high-octane action already, with many players dazzling with their incredible performances.
Ahead of the second half of the La Liga campaign, let's take stock of who's been the best player in each position so far in a combined XI: (Formation: 4-3-3)
Goalkeeper: Yassine Bounou (Sevilla)
Sevilla have been mean defensively this season, conceding only 13 times in 18 games, the least in La Liga. And their goalkeeper Yassine Bounou is one of the key reasons behind it. The Moroccan shot-stopper has emerged as one of Europe's best this season.
He currently boasts the highest number of clean sheets in the division with eight in 16 games and also the lowest number of goals conceded (10).
Tall, athletic, physically imposing and strong in one-on-one situations, Bono is among the most reliable keepers. Aside from his defensive prowess, Bono also holds the record for being the first goalkeeper to make a direct assist this season.
He successfully displaced Tomas Vaclik to become Sevilla's No.1 choice in goal last season and his footballing star continues to rise.
Right-back: Damian Suarez (Getafe)
La Liga currently lacks quality options in the right-back spot. Of all the available players, Damian Suarez has impressed the most. At 33, the Uruguayan has shown no signs of slowing down, making three assists for Getafe this season.
What he lacks in speed, Suarez makes up for with his attacking intent and brilliant link-up play.
Centre-back: David Garcia (Osasuna)
Osasuna are down to 14th place in the La Liga table. But they have conceded only 22 times so far, courtesy of David Garcia's talismanic displays.
His intelligent style of defending puts an emphasis on positional awareness. And combining that with an uncanny game-reading acumen has seen him stand out from a mediocre squad.
The 27-year-old averages a staggering 5.7 clearances per game in the league this season and another 1.5 interceptions. His aerial prowess is there for all to see too, winning 4.2 duels per game.
He has a knack for popping up with a goal or two every season but has netted thrice in the current one, which is already the most Garcia has ever managed in a single league campaign.
Centre-back: David Alaba (Real Madrid)
David Alaba has adjusted to life at Real Madrid very smoothly. The Austrian has taken no time to prove his worth to the side since joining from Bayern Munich on a free transfer.
His wealth of experience has been crucial to their defensive prowess this season, having conceded only 16 times from 19 games, the least in La Liga after only Sevilla (13).
Known for his leadership skills, aerial prowess, and set-piece ability, Alaba, still only 29, is the complete package. He could play a big part in Real Madrid's fortunes for many years to come.
Left-back: Jordi Alba (Barcelona)
Jordi Alba may be past his best but he's still continuing to remain of some value to Barcelona.
In the current league season, the left-back has registered four assists, the most for a player in his position in La Liga.
The Catalans are actively looking for a new recruit to strengthen the position. But if Alba can keep up his current form, then Barcelona may drop the idea of a new signing.
Right midfielder: Carlos Soler (Valencia)
Valencia may be languishing in eighth position on the La Liga table with 28 points in 18 games, but without Carlos Soler, it could've been much worse.
The Spaniard has netted seven goals and assisted twice in just 14 games. He has become one of the key figures in Jose Bordalas' squad.
Most of his goals have also come in key moments. He scored their only goal in a 1-0 win over Getafe and a pair of 1-1 draws against Granada and Rayo Vallecano.
In Valencia's final La Liga game of the season before the winter break, he also popped up with a second-half brace against Levante to turn the tide as the Bats won 4-3.
Central midfielder: Casemiro (Real Madrid)
Casemiro offers incredible balance to Real Madrid, often being the nexus between the back-four and their attack.
Intelligent, mobile, aggressive and hard-working, the Brazilian is a pocket dynamite. It's hard to play against him when he's in full swing.
Casemiro is vital in breaking down opposition play with his vision and tackling ability, and has a penchant for popping up with a goal or two.
The 29-year-old averages nearly three tackles a game in La Liga this season, has won 2.8 aerial duels and made three assists.
Left midfielder: Juanmi (Real Betis)
Real Betis have offered a pleasant surprise this season, sitting in third place with 33 points from 18 games. They look like serious contenders for a Champions League place.
Head coach Manuel Pellegrini has run a taut ship with a highly talented squad led by Juanmi, La Liga's rising star.
He's struck 11 times from 16 games. He ended the first half of the La Liga season by scoring at least once in five consecutive games, a run that also included a hat-trick.
On the fringes of the club in his first two years, Juanmi has been a revelation this season. He has established himself as a key figure as Betis look for a top-four finish.
Right winger: Iago Aspas (Celta Vigo)
If you were to draw out a list of the most underrated strikers in La Liga, then Celta Vigo's Iago Aspas would rank somewhere near the top.
Since joining the Galician outfit in 2015, the Spaniard has struck 111 times in the league from 217 games, winning the Zarra Trophy for the most prolific domestic player thrice.
After two consecutive underwhelming seasons, he's now come back to life. He has netted eight goals in 17 games, more than half of what Aspas managed in 2019/20 and 2020/21 seasons (14 each).
The 34-year-old has been the only bright spot in Celta's misfiring squad, amounting for exactly 40% of their total strikes. His form has kept them from sinking into relegation scramble.
Striker: Karim Benzema (Real Madrid)
Powering Real Madrid's title charge is Karim Benzema, who's breathing fire at the moment with 15 top-flight goals in just 18 games!
It's the most in La Liga at this stage and is also the highest assist-maker in the division bar one with seven assists.
This is the Frenchman's best first-half of a season ever. He looks determined to finally get his mitts to a Golden Boot, a trophy that's eluded him in the competition.
Left winger: Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid)
It's been a season of revelation for Vinicius Junior, who finally hit the heights that were long expected of him.
With 10 league goals and five assists, he's taken La Liga by storm, also becoming a key figure in Carlo Ancelotti's squad.
The Brazilian is brimming with confidence and has shown a deadly finishing ability that has caught everyone's imagination.
His partnership with Benzema has blossomed into one of the deadliest in Europe this season and together they can lead Real Madrid to another La Liga title.
