Where next for Benitez if he leaves Real Madrid at the end of the season?

Real Sociedad started the day 14th in the table - just two points above the relegation zone. The Basque strugglers have taken seven points from a possible 15 since dismissing David Moyes in November but are lucky not to be trailing by at least a couple of goals already.

Real scored 10 last time out at home - and they could be three up in the first eight minutes here.

Cristiano Ronaldo is denied by the Sociedad keeper's legs after good work from Gareth Bale before Karim Benzema goes close after another sweeping move.

Image source, Reuters

First corner of the game to Real Madrid - and it almost brings a goal for the hosts. Pepe gets on the end of it and it's heading for the net before Geronimo Rulli tips it over.

Real Madrid will go top of the table with victory - if only for a couple of hours. Yet home fans are already on Benitez's back. Boos echoed around the ground when the Real manager's name was read out over the speakers before kick-off.

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We're under way at the Bernabeu. Big 90 minutes coming up for Rafael Benitez.

Storms? Floods? Not in Madrid. It's a chilly and cloudy day in Spain's capital but there isn't one umbrella on show inside the Bernabeu.

So, Rafael Benitez claims there is a "campaign" against him. Is he right? Will he stay at Real Madrid at the start of next season? Which Premier League club could he return to? Tweet #bbceurofoty, external

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Is Rafael Benitez feeling the pressure?

Despite putting 10 past Rayo Vallecano last time out, Real Madrid have lost three of the last six in La Liga, with leaders Barcelona, who have one game in hand over their bitter rivals, two points ahead.

Now Benitez is complaining of a "campaign" against him and Real.

"Everything that is open to criticism is criticised and that which is not is manipulated," Benitez told reporters on Tuesday.

"What is clear is that there is a campaign against Florentino Perez [president], against Real Madrid and against the manager."

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Ten minutes to kick-off at the Bernabeu and Real Madrid have wheeled out the big guns for their final game of a disappointing 2015.

Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema all start.

Real Madrid: Navas, Danilo, Pepe, Nacho, Marcelo, Modric, Kroos, James, Bale, Ronaldo, Benzema. Subs: Casilla, Varane, Casemiro, Kovacic, Vazquez, Jese, Isco.

Real Sociedad start with striker Imanol Agirretxe, who has scored 12 this season, as many as Ronaldo in La Liga. 

Real Sociedad: Rulli, C Martinez, Berchiche, I Martinez, Elustondo, Prieto, Canales, Illarramendi, Bergara, Agirretxe, Jonathas. Subs: Bruma, Vela, Oier, Pardo, Litri, Reyes, La Bella.

Image source, .

For a country that loves a good old siesta, Spain is not hanging about. Their top-flight teams are back in action less than two weeks after knocking off for Christmas.

Real Madrid get our coverage under way at 15:00 GMT when Rafael Benitez's side entertain lowly Real Sociedad before we take a little siesta of our own. We're back, however, at 19:00 GMT to build up to Barcelona's home game with Real Betis which kick-off at 19:30 GMT.

Real, Barca and Atletico Madrid, who are away to Rayo Vallecano at 17:15 GMT, can all end 2015 at the top of La Liga. This is no time for a siesta.

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They are still in hibernation in France and Italy. In Germany they are knocking back the Gluehwein. Thank goodness then for Spain. La Liga's doors are back open after a shortened winter break, and Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar are all itching to get back to doing what they do best - scoring goals.