The vibe around the Santiago Bernabéu is, frankly, weird right now. It is January 2026, and if you told a Madridista six months ago that Xabi Alonso would be gone by the middle of the season, they’d have probably asked what you were drinking. Yet, here we are. Real Madrid is second in the table, four points behind a rampant Barcelona, and the "mutual consent" departure of Alonso after that Super Cup heartbreak has left the club in a tailspin. Now, Álvaro Arbeloa is the man in the hot seat. The schedule doesn't care about the drama, though. The real madrid next games in la liga are coming thick and fast, and they aren't exactly "gimme" matches despite what the league table might suggest.
Everything feels a bit fragile.
The Immediate Test: Levante and the Ghost of Albacete
Today is Saturday, January 17. By the time you read this, the game against Levante might be underway or just finishing. On paper, it’s 2nd versus 19th. Easy, right? Not really. Real Madrid is coming off a staggering 3-2 loss to Albacete in the Copa del Rey. It was Arbeloa’s debut as interim, and it was a disaster.
The defensive line is basically held together by tape and prayers. With Éder Militão, Antonio Rüdiger, and Ferland Mendy all sidelined with various leg injuries, the back four looks experimental at best. We’re seeing youngsters like Asencio and Huijsen being tossed into the deep end. Honestly, it’s a lot of pressure for kids who were playing for Castilla a few weeks ago. Levante, meanwhile, has hit a weird patch of form. They’re unbeaten in three and recently thrashed Sevilla 3-0 away. If Madrid sleeps on them at the Bernabéu, the four-point gap to Barcelona is going to look like a canyon by Sunday morning.
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February is Where the Title is Won (or Lost)
Once we get past the January scramble, the February schedule looks like a gauntlet. Madrid has to travel to some of the most "uncomfortable" stadiums in Spain. It starts with Rayo Vallecano on February 1st, then a massive trip to the Mestalla to face Valencia on February 7th.
- February 14 vs. Real Sociedad: This is the one I’m circling. La Real plays a brand of football that specifically exploits teams with disorganized midfields. If Jude Bellingham and Federico Valverde aren't 100% by then, Madrid will get bypassed in the transitions.
- February 21 vs. Osasuna: El Sadar is never fun. It’s loud, it’s cold, and the grass always feels a bit longer.
- February 28 vs. Getafe: A local derby that is usually just ninety minutes of fouls and frustration.
The thing about real madrid next games in la liga is that they coincide with the business end of the Champions League. Madrid has Monaco and Benfica to deal with in late January. By the time the Valencia game rolls around, the squad will be gassed. Arbeloa doesn't have the luxury of rotation right now because his "B-team" is effectively his "A-team" due to the injury crisis.
The Mbappe Factor: 18 Goals and a Dodgy Knee
Kylian Mbappé is currently leading the Pichichi race with 18 goals. He’s been the one constant in a season of flux. But he’s also nursing a knee issue that kept him out of the Albacete debacle. Arbeloa confirmed he’s back for the Levante game, but at what cost? There is a real fear that they are rushing him back because the club is terrified of falling seven or ten points behind Hansi Flick’s Barcelona.
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If Mbappé’s knee flares up again during this February stretch, Real Madrid’s season is effectively over. Vinícius Júnior has reached his 350th game for the club—a massive milestone—but he can't carry the goal-scoring burden alone, especially with Rodrygo still struggling for full fitness.
Current La Liga Standings (The Top Four)
| Team | Played | Points | GD |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barcelona | 19 | 49 | +33 |
| Real Madrid | 19 | 45 | +24 |
| Villarreal | 18 | 41 | +20 |
| Atlético Madrid | 19 | 38 | +17 |
Looking at that, you see the problem. Villarreal is lurking. They have a game in hand and have been playing some of the most efficient football in Spain under Marcelino. If Madrid drops points against Levante or Rayo, they aren't just looking up at Barcelona; they’re looking over their shoulder at the Yellow Submarine.
Why Everyone is Panicking
It’s the lack of stability. Real Madrid is a club built on a specific kind of "mystique," but that mystique relies on winning. Losing to a Segunda side like Albacete destroys that aura. The fans at the Bernabéu are famously demanding. If the first twenty minutes against Levante are sluggish, the whistling will start.
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Arbeloa is a club legend, but he’s never managed at this level under this kind of scrutiny. He’s trying to implement a more vertical system, but without Trent Alexander-Arnold (who is out until February with a thigh injury), the service from the right side has vanished. Lucas Vázquez is a soldier, but he’s not Trent.
Real Madrid Next Games in La Liga: The Action Plan
If you’re a fan or a bettor looking at this schedule, here is the reality. The next four weeks are about survival, not style.
- Watch the injury reports for Ferland Mendy. Without him, the left flank is a highway for opposing wingers.
- Monitor the "Yellow Submarine." Madrid plays Villarreal on January 24th. That match is arguably more important than the Champions League fixtures because it determines who stays in the "challenger" spot for the title.
- Keep an eye on the youngsters. Huijsen and Asencio are the future, but their mistakes right now are costing points.
Basically, don't expect 5-0 blowouts. Expect 1-0 grinds where Courtois has to make five world-class saves to keep the season alive. The transition from Alonso to Arbeloa was messy, and the fixture list is unforgiving. If you want to follow the progress, keep your eyes on the Saturday afternoon slots—that’s where the league will be decided.
Next Steps for You:
Check the official Real Madrid app or La Liga’s website for the exact kickoff times for the Valencia and Real Sociedad matches, as these are often moved for TV broadcast schedules only two weeks in advance. If you're attending a game at the Bernabéu this month, arrive at least 90 minutes early; security has been tightened following the recent coaching changes and high-profile January fixtures.