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Barcelona v Real Madrid – the final battle for the LaLiga title


When Barcelona travelled to the Spanish capital in late April they were three points behind Real Madrid and already envisaging their LaLiga crown heading to the Bernabeu.
But their dramatic Clasico victory drew the rivals level at the top of the table, keeping alive Catalan hopes of a third straight title.
Here, Press Association Sport analyses the clubs’ respective run-ins and imagines how the season might conclude.

Three weeks remaining

Saturday, May 6 – Barcelona v Villarreal & Granada v Real Madrid
Barcelona, who host Villarreal in the teatime kick-off, need to pick up maximum points from their three remaining matches as Real Madrid have a game in hand, against Celta Vigo, in the final week.
Despite struggling to draw at El Madrigal in January, Barca will emulate their 3-0 victory over Villarreal last season, with a team devoid of European duties at this stage finding extra energy to dominate the Europa League hopefuls.
Later that evening, however, Real visit Tony Adams’ Granada. Already relegated, the Andalusians will be more relaxed, but they have failed to score in three of their last five home matches. Real should take all three points.
Barcelona remain top on head-to-head goal difference, as Real also have 84 points.

Two weeks remaining

Sunday, May 14 – Las Palmas v Barcelona & Real Madrid v Sevilla
After struggling to sink the Yellow Submarine, Barca face more yellow peril in the shape of Las Palmas, who have done enough to survive on their return to the top flight. Expect the Catalans to make hay in Gran Canaria, following their 5-0 winter romp at the Nou Camp.
Real, meanwhile, go into their capital encounter with high-flying Sevilla on the back of what should be a gruelling Champions League semi-final against Atletico Madrid. Los Blancos may well protect their 3-0 first-leg lead, but at the expense of first-team fitness.
Even though Gareth Bale is poised to recover from injury to face Sevilla, the visitors will follow up their 2-1 home victory over Real by forcing a rare goalless draw at the Bernabeu.
The dramatic events of the weekend give Barca a two-point lead and put them in pole position to retain the title.

One week remaining

Midweek fixture TBC – Celta Vigo v Real Madrid
Real’s scheduled game at Celta was postponed in February due to storm damage at Balaidos and the fixture has hung around the necks of both title rivals ever since. It will be played four or five days before the final matches.
Celta have surprised at home and abroad by competing for a top-half place and reaching the Europa League last four, where they will hope to eliminate Manchester United and reach the Stockholm final.
Tired legs will affect both sides and Real will not find it easy in Galicia – as evidenced by their 2-2 draw there in the Copa del Rey – but Cristiano Ronaldo will come to the fore and help fire the Madrid outfit to a convincing win.
Sunday, May 21 – Barcelona v Eibar & Malaga v Real Madrid
It is 5pm local time in both Catalonia and on the Costa del Sol, and Real Madrid have a one-point advantage in the final battle for the 2016-17 LaLiga championship.
Eibar, who suffered a 4-0 home thrashing by Barca in January, surprisingly have a defensive record to rival the top four, but with nothing to play for they will succumb to another defeat as Lionel Messi and friends gun for the title.
Malaga are a less predictable beast as, despite a largely disappointing campaign, they have been capable of stringing wins together and claimed Barca’s scalp during a run of five victories from six matches in the spring.
Real edged past them 2-1 in the home fixture and will do so by the same scoreline again, potentially requiring a last-gasp winner from a member of the BBC strikeforce to deliver a first crown since 2012, breaking hearts in Barcelona.

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