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MADRID -- Its been nearly a decade since Real Madrid was this dominant heading into the halfway point of the season.Not even in 2012, when it last won the Spanish league title.With Cristiano Ronaldo at his best and Zinedine Zidane flourishing in his first full season as a head coach, Madrid looks closer than ever to ending its title drought in the league.Madrid also had the lead after 16 matches in 2014-15, when it had also won the Champions League and the Club World Cup. That team eventually collapsed under coach Carlos Ancelotti and ended the season in disappointment.We all know what happened in 2014 after we won the Club World Cup. It can happen at any moment, said Zidane, who had been an assistant to Ancelotti. I think that the season will be long and difficult for us. If we work hard I dont think that things will change.With two more games without a loss, Madrid will match Barcelonas Spanish record of 39 games unbeaten, a mark set last season.---TITLE RACEAfter struggles by defending champion Barcelona and city rival Atletico Madrid, Real Madrid has a three-point lead going into the break. It also has a game in hand -- at home against Valencia -- because of its participation in the Club World Cup.Madrid, the only unbeaten team in the league, has been nearly perfect except for a spell of three consecutive draws beginning in September. It won seven of its last eight league games since then, with the only setback a 1-1 draw against Barcelona at Camp Nou when Sergio Ramos scored a 90th-minute equalizer.Second-place Barcelona has already lost twice, including at home to promoted Alaves. The Catalan club drew three straight -- including twice at home -- before finishing with two consecutive victories.Atletico, enduring its worse slump since coach Diego Simeone took over, is only sixth, nine points behind Madrid.---PICK OF THE PLAYERSCristiano Ronaldo enjoyed a remarkable year but had an up-and-down start in the league thanks in part to a knee injury that kept him from playing in the first few games.Lionel Messi also missed some matches because of an injury, but has been thriving recently and finished the year as the leagues leading scorer with 12 goals, along with Barcelona teammate Luis Suarez.On loan from Manchester City, Samir Nasri has been crucial in Sevillas third-place campaign, while Pablo Piattis first season with Espanyol has been highly successful with five goals and six assists, the most in the league.---EMERGING TALENTIago Aspas outstanding season with Celta Vigo helped him land a spot in Spains national team for the first time in his career.He is one of the tournaments leading scorers with 10 goals, three of them scored in the last three matches before the break. He has succeeded despite a Celta team that has been struggling and is only 13th in the standings.The 29-year-old Aspas, who had a stint with Liverpool in 2013-14, returned to Celta a season ago after a year on loan with Sevilla.---SURPRISESReal Sociedad started the league with a 3-0 home loss to Real Madrid and had only one victory in its first four games.It all improved quickly, though, and the team led by Brazilian striker Willian Jose heads into the break in fifth place, ahead of Atletico Madrid and just behind Sevilla and Villarreal.A two-time champion in the early 1980s, Real Sociedad had an emphatic 2-0 win over Atletico and drew Barcelona 1-1 in a game in which it deserved to win.---POINTS TO PROVECoach Diego Simeone needs to put Atletico Madrid back on track quickly if he wants the team to contend for another league title.After experimenting with different formations, the team struggled with inconsistency and has already conceded 14 goals, only four less than the 18 it conceded in all 38 games last season. Among its four losses -- which is two less than it had last season -- was a 3-0 setback against Madrid at home.Former Italy coach Cesare Prandelli also has to turn things around at Valencia, which is winless in seven league games and has won only twice under his command.In Barcelona, Neymar hasnt scored in nine official matches, his worst slump since coming to Spain.---Tales Azzoni on Twitter: http://twitter.com/tazzoni Vin Baker Bucks Jersey . -- James Young couldnt wait to apply those tweaks to his jump shot, and the first one he made against UT Arlington told him it could be a good night. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Jersey . The defence is doing its part, too. Drew Brees threw a pair of touchdown passes in the first half and the guys on the other side made sure that was enough, sending the Saints to a 17-13 victory over the Atlanta Falcons on Thursday night. https://www.bucksrookiesshop.com/Vin-Baker-City-Edition-Jersey/ . "Thank you for the warm welcome," Beckham said on an 80-degree February morning. In this case, it was soccer weather. The sport moved a step closer to returning to South Florida on Wednesday, when Beckham confirmed he has exercised his option to purchase a Major League Soccer expansion franchise in Miami. Khris Middleton Jersey . Wilson hit Schenn from behind during Tuesday nights game in Philadelphia, earning a five-minute major for charging and a game misconduct. He has a phone hearing with the department of player safety, which limits any potential suspension to five or fewer games. George Hill Jersey . According to a report from the Winnipeg Free Press, the Bombers will name Acting GM Kyle Walters to the post full time. MIAMI -- On July 3, Andrew Cashner came back from the disabled list after dealing with a strained neck.Now the Miami Marlins -- who acquired Cashner from the San Diego Padres on Friday -- are hoping he is a pain in the neck for opponents. That starts with Sundays game, when he makes his Marlins debut against St. Louis right-hander Carlos Martinez (10-6, 2.87 ERA).The Marlins defeated the Cardinals 11-0 on Saturday night, leaving the teams tied with identical records of 56-48 as they battle for the second and final NL wild-card playoff berth.But the loss may have been damaging for the Marlins because starter Colin Rea left after 3 1/3 innings because of an elbow injuryReas injury puts even more stress on a Marlins rotation that is already without Wei-Yin Chen, who is on the disabled list because of an elbow injury.Cashner, who was the Chicago Cubs first-round pick -- 19th overall in 2008 -- can make the Marlins feel a lot better about their rotation with a big-time start Sunday.With an average fastball of 94 mph, Cashner has power stuff, but he is only 4-7 with a 4.76 ERA this season. He is flirting with what would be his second straight year with an ERA higher than 4.30 and his third consecutive losing season.Since 2014, Cashner is 15-30. So it seems a bit foolish to count on Cashner to be some sort of savior.This is a playoff team, Marlins general manager Michael Hill said Friday.But the Marlins will likely have to beat out the Cardinals to get a wild-card playofff berth.ddddddddddddThe Cardinals are about to get healthier with the anticipated return of three players in the next few days. But there are some tough decisions pending when it comes to playing time and who gets shipped out.Cardinals first baseman Brandon Moss (sprained left ankle) and third baseman Jhonny Peralta (left thumb) are set to return from the disabled list by Tuesdays game at the Cincinnati Reds.In addition, Cardinals second baseman Matt Carpenter (right oblique) will begin a rehab assignment Sunday at Double-A Springfield. Hes due back Friday.Carpenter, who has a team-high .988 OPS, figures to reclaim his starting job at second.Peralta (.674 OPS), who has struggled this year, could play off the bench, and a contract release is not out of the question. The Cardinals seemingly have better options at third, including Greg Garcia (.870 OPS) and Jedd Gyorko (.796 OPS, 14 homers).Moss (.910 OPS) figures to get his job back at first base, but Matt Adams (.779 OPS, 12 homers) has played well there and the Cardinals will try to get him time as well.With the new arrivals, the Cardinals will have to move out three players. Candidates include outfielder Randall Grichuk (.702 OPS) and infielder Kolten Wong (.650 OPS).Backup outfielder Jeremy Hazelbaker (.787 OPS) has seemingly earned his spot, but could be sent to the minors as well. ' ' '