La Liga Lowdown

"Expect the unexpected" is the theme of LaLiga this season - Barcelona were held by Valencia (rescued by Leo Messi again), then Atlético Madrid could have made up ground on the leaders but they lost at Real Betis...Sevilla also went to out-of-form Celta Vigo, and they lost too. So that's 3 of the top 4 failing to win. Real Madrid have hit form though, 3-nil winners over Alavés.The chasing pack is starting to look a bit more familiar - Valencia & Real Sociedad are prowling just outside the Europa League places, with La Real upsetting the form book and defeating Athletic Club in the Basque derby. It means they're still unbeaten under coach Imanol Alguacil.But the relegation fight is getting even tastier - Huesca win, Villarreal draw, Celta win, Leganés win - a huge reaction from the strugglers. The scrap to avoid the drop pretty much involves anyone from 11th down, so tight are things in the bottom half of the table - it's a thrilling battle.We also look ahead to the Copa del Rey se