Lost points at this stage of the season can prove fatal to any title challenge, and with championship contenders across Europe facing supposedly inferior opposition this weekend, the potential for a surprise result or two is high.

The Bundesliga is not due to return to action until 31 January, leaving FIFA.com to set the scene for the latest rounds of games in the continent's four other major leagues.

Premier League: United hot on Liverpool's heels
Recovering well after an unconvincing start, Manchester United have closed to within two points of leaders Liverpool with a game in hand. The men from Old Trafford owe their resurgence to a run of seven wins and two draws since their last defeat, which came to Arsenal on 8 November 2008. Liverpool will be looking for maximum points against their rivals from across Stanley Park, but in the unique and passionate atmosphere of a Merseyside derby, that will be easier said than done.

Despite losing Wayne Rooney to injury for three weeks, United will travel to Bolton in confident mood, while faltering Chelsea will hope to revive their challenge at home to Stoke City, and fifth-placed Arsenal make the trip to Hull City's KC Stadium.

The question: Beaten 2-1 at home by Hull earlier in the season, can the Gunners exact revenge on the struggling new boys?
The big game: Liverpool-Everton, Monday 21.00 CET, Anfield
The quote: "They are enjoying the fruits of ‘new manager syndrome'. The Stadium of Light is always a difficult place to go to, because of the crowd. It's always loud and they get behind them so it will be a tough game," Aston Villa defender Luke Young.

La Liga: Battle rages below Barça
With the Catalans seemingly in a league of their own this term, attention is already turning to the fierce battle for the UEFA Champions League places. Showing far more solidity under Juande Ramos than with his predecessor Bernd Schuster, Real Madrid hold second place and welcome Osasuna to the Bernabeu. Just behind them on goal difference are Sevilla, at home to Numancia on Saturday.

Tucked in a point behind in fourth are Valencia, who take on a resurgent Athletic Bilbao at the San Mames, while Atletico Madrid, Villarreal and Deportivo La Coruna lie four points further back.

The question: Can Osasuna pierce the Real Madrid rearguard, which has not conceded a goal in three games?
The big game: Barcelona-Deportivo, Saturday, 20.00 CET, Camp Nou
The quote: "The team's attitude has been extraordinary lately. We are putting some good results together and that can only help my players to grow in confidence. We'll be fighting till the end," Sevilla coach Manolo Jimenez.

Serie A: Inter and Juve on their own
With the usual suspects invariably jostling for position at the top of the table in Italy, the key to winning the scudetto is the ability to churn out results week after week. Inter Milan and Juventus have been doing that better than anyone this season and resume their duel with respective engagements away from home, the Nerazzurri travelling to Catania and the Bianconeri visiting Lazio.

AC Milan stand at the head of the chasing pack, which includes Fiorentina, their opponents on Saturday, while Napoli are at bottom-placed Chievo and Genoa journey to Lecce.

The question: Having won their last five matches, can Juventus keep the pressure on Inter Milan by extending that run?
The big game: AC Milan-Fiorentina, Saturday 20.30 CET, San Siro
The quote: "I know Paolo Maldini and Massimo Ambrosini are before me, but one day I would like to become captain of Milan. Manchester City? I have already refused important offers," AC Milan playmaker Kaka.

Ligue 1: The race is on
Perennial champions Lyon have been struggling of late, allowing their in-form championship rivals to close the gap to a single point. Leading the pursuit are Bordeaux, who travel to Nantes with the intention of wresting first place from Les Gones. Denied the services of key man Sydney Govou for the rest of the season, the leaders will hope to recover their poise at Grenoble.

Lying in wait in third are Rennes, who will need to be at their very best against well-drilled Lille on Sunday. Bolstered by the arrival of Brandao and Sylvain Wiltord, Marseille have the opportunity to make their demanding fans happy when they entertain a struggling Le Havre side, currently marooned at the foot of the table.

The question: Lyon have picked up only six points in their last six games. Can they regain some momentum against Grenoble this weekend?
The big game: Lille-Rennes, Sunday 21.00 CET, Stadium Lille Metropole
The quote: "I'm a fighter and I'm going to give everything. I'm a very combative player and I'll be doing all I can to contribute to Olympique Marseille's success," L'OM's new recruit Brandao.

Elsewhere
In the Netherlands midtable Feyenoord have just parted company with their coach Gertjan Verbeek and have an awkward proposition at sixth-placed Heerenveen, where they have not won in their last nine Eredivisie visits, a run that stretches back to 11 September 1998. And up in Scotland Rangers have a fine chance to reduce the four-point gap that separates them from Celtic. Walter Smith's men play host to lowly Falkirk, while the holders have a tricky assignment at Aberdeen.