It's slowly becoming the league that no team wants to win. With one point now separating first and fifth, Barca and Real Madrid are starting to nervously look over their shoulder ahead of this weekend's games.

Wales manager Ryan Giggs says Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey are available to start the decisive Euro 2020 qualifier against Hungary in Cardiff on Tuesday.

The forward has faced significant criticism at Real Madrid for his priorities, and there is a belief that Gareth Bale views some of his other habits as more important than playing for his club.

PETE JENSON IN SPAIN: Gareth Bale is fast becoming a hero in Spain… to everyone who doesn't care about Real Madrid with his latest dig at the club coming on Tuesday night.

Harry Redknapp believes a sure-fire way of Jose Mourinho getting the backing of Tottenham fans would be to sign Gareth Bale. Bale moved from Tottenham to Real Madrid six years ago.

Spanish newspaper Marca have slammed Gareth Bale after appearing to mock Real Madrid during Euro 2020 qualification celebrations with Wales. Bale celebrated with a flag that mocked Real Madrid.

Gareth Bale appeared to mock his club team Real Madrid during Wales' 2-0 victory over Hungary on Tuesday evening by holding a flag that read: 'Wales. Golf. Madrid...in that order'.

La Liga returns this weekend with the title race tighter than ever with the top five separated by just two points. Real Madrid welcome Real Sociedad while Barcelona take on Leganes.

Zinedine Zidane has backed Gareth Bale to return to form with Real Madrid and insisted he is not bothered by the Welshman's 'Wales. Golf. Madrid' jibe.

It's Hot or Not time again as Sportsmail's Riath Al-Samarrai reveals what's been making him feel warm and what's been leaving him cold this week. 

PETE JENSON: Gareth Bale was whistled by Real Madrid supporters in his first game back since his Wales flag celebration and Zinedine Zidane admitted the situation was unsustainable.

Bale had been criticised in Spain after being pictured celebrating Wales' Euro 2020 qualification victory over Hungary in midweek with a flag which read 'Wales. Golf. Madrid. In that order'.

The much-maligned 30-year-old was resoundingly jeered by home fans after being introduced as a second half substitute in the club's 3-1 victory against Real Sociedad.

Jose Mourinho was named Spurs boss a fortnight ago and signed a contract until the end of the 2022-23 season, following the abrupt exit of Mauricio Pochettino.

Gareth Bale has added to Real Madrid's increasing injury list ahead of El Clasico against Barcelona with a minor thigh problem.

Gareth Bale's agent has admitted the Real Madrid winger 'is not ecstatic' with life at the club but insists he's never asked to leave after the 30-year-old came close to leaving in the summer.

Zinedine Zidane says he will not stop Wales star Gareth Bale from playing golf in his spare time. Bale admits playing golf is his passion and that his team-mates have nicknamed him 'The Golfer'.

PETE JENSON IN SPAIN: Real Madrid's injury crisis might be giving Zinedine Zidane a headache but the one player he is desperate to not be without for Barcelona plays in midfield.

Marca report that Real Madrid need to generate 200m euros to balance the books and avoid sanctions from UEFA's Financial Fair Play rulings after they spent 350m euros in the summer.

Real Madrid have long been interested in signing Manchester United's Paul Pogba. It is reported that Los Blancos could offer both Gareth Bale and James Rodriguez in any deal.

Gareth Bale was benched by Zinedine Zidane again for Real Madrid's 1-1 draw with Valencia. The Welsh winger though found a way to keep himself amused while he sat on the substitutes bench.

PETE JENSON AT THE NOU CAMP: Zinedine Zidane rued the hairline offside decision that cost Real Madrid victory against Barcelona. Gareth Bale had the ball in the net in the second half.

PETE JENSON AT THE NOU CAMP: The last there was a 0-0 between Barcelona and Real Madrid in La Liga someone had launched a pig's head onto the pitch at Luis Figo back in 2002.

Bale's commitment to Madrid was criticised in the Spanish press after posing with a 'Wales, golf, Madrid, in that order' banner after helping his country reach Euro 2020.

Coutinho, now on loan at Bayern Munich after struggling since his huge-money move to Barcelona, has seen his value slashed by a massive £60million according to Transfermarkt.

The Welshman has come under fire in Spain for a lack of commitment towards the culture, with reports that he had not made an effort to learn the language and does not bond with the team.

In the concluding installment, the top 10 in Sportsmail's eyes are revealed and along with Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo there is room for a Polish striker and a Welsh Galatico.

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW BY DANIEL MATTHEWS: Southampton have nurtured the likes of Walcott, Bale, Oxlade- Chamberlain and Lallana, and Obafemi wants to follow in their footsteps.

Gareth Bale has no intention of departing Real Madrid in the near future and even plans on having another full season in LaLiga, according to his agent.

Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane has left winger Gareth Bale out of the 19-man squad that will face Sevilla in La Liga on Saturday, despite the Welshman training all week injury free.

Betting has been suspended on a return to Tottenham for Gareth Bale this month despite his agent suggesting that he is going nowhere. A flurry of bets have been placed in the last 24 hours.

The duo were left out of the squad to face Sevilla last weekend with some reports claiming Bale had been dropped, despite the winger having trained as normal all week.

Gareth Bale's agent has described the prospect of the Welshman leaving Real Madrid on loan this month as 'ridiculous' and insisted he will see out his Bernabeu contract.

Real Madrid used to be the club that most frequently broke the transfer record now they are the club who spend the most on what they believe will be the next big thing.

Zinedine Zidane has spoken of his hopes of winning the Copa del Rey after Real Madrid eased into the last 16 with a 3-1 victory at Unionistas de Salamanca.

Gareth Bale impressed on his return to Real Madrid's starting XI as they beat Unionistas de Salamanca 3-1 in the Copa del Rey but was forced off with an ankle injury in the 53rd minute of the game.

We've got a full weekend of LaLiga action ahead, with the league still wide open at both ends of the table. Barcelona and Real Madrid can hardly be separated at this stage of the season.  

With £85.3m from the sale of Gareth Bale burning a big hole in their pockets, Tottenham embarked on a crazy spending spree in the summer of 2013. But what became of their seven signings?

Tottenham and Real Madrid will enter talks on Wednesday over a sensational return for Gareth Bale - but the Wales star would have to agree to a massive pay cut.

Sportsmail understands Spurs have explored the possibility of trying to lure their former player back to north London but the finances attached to the deal mean it is unlikely this month.

Reports emerged on Friday morning that Bale was in talks to return to Spurs but nothing will come of negotiations regarding the 30-year-old in this window.

Tottenham have conceded defeat in their ambitious ploy to bring Gareth Bale back to the club. Sportsmail revealed on Thursday how Spurs had held talks with Real Madrid.

Bale's (left) agent Jonathan Barnett (inset) insisted there was never any negotiations between Spurs and his client and that the Premier League outfit wouldn't be able to afford his wages.

Gareth Bale made a hasty exit while his team-mates were still playing in their 4-3 defeat to Real Sociedad on Thursday night. Zinedine Zidane's side crashed out of the Copa del Rey at the Bernebeu.

Gareth Bale is determined to see out the final two years of his Real Madrid contract, according to the player's agent Jonathan Barnett.

Gareth Bale's agent has defended his Welsh charge after Real Madrid fans were angered by the winger leaving the Bernabeu with 10 minutes to go during their 4-3 defeat to Real Sociedad. 

Gareth Bale is back in the Real Madrid squad for a La Liga game for the first time in over a month after being included for Sunday's match at Osasuna.

The Wales international appeared set to depart Real Madrid in the summer, only for the club to reject the big money bid despite Zinedine Zidane's willingness to allow Bale to leave.

Bale, who has made 15 appearances in all competitions for Madrid this season, has been recalled this weekend and Zidane dismissed ongoing speculation about the pair's relationship.

PETE JENSON AT EL SADAR STADIUM: Zinedine Zidane's side knew this was a potential slip-up but turned an awkward away fixture against battling Osasuna into a routine win.