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Three teams, three weeks, three points at a time.
The La Liga title race is too close to call, with all three teams hitting their peak form in the final weeks of the season. Barcelona may have stumbled and surrendered their cushion, but they’ve dismantled their last two opponents by a combined score of 14-0. Real Madrid haven’t lost in nine games, and that was to Atletico Madrid, who have won ten straight. Atletico’s last loss? Barcelona. And we go around again.
If all three teams win out, Barcelona will once again raise the trophy. They have a better goal differential than Atletico, but that isn’t the only factor in La Liga tiebreakers. The Spanish Primera division uses head-to-head goal differential as the first tiebreaker in the standings, followed by overall differential. So even if Madrid catch up and draw level with Barcelona, their 0-4 embarrassment to Barca at the beginning of the season will come back to haunt them.
1. Barcelona
Points: 85
Last 10 Matches: 7-1-2
Remaining Fixtures: vs. Espanyol, at Granada
Worth Mentioning: Defeated Real Betis 2-0 today. Barcelona have been killing opponents lately, and they’re getting healthier. French defender Jeremy Mathieu, who had his meniscus removed and hasn’t played since March, has returned to training.
2. Atletico Madrid
Points: 85
Last 10 Matches: 10-0-0
Remaining Fixtures: at Levante, vs. Celta Vigo
Worth Mentioning: Defeated Rayo Vallecano 1-0 today. Atletico Madrid are riding n eleven-game win streak, and are 90 minutes away from a trip to the Champions League final. The only thing going wrong for the Mattressers is their manager, Diego Simeone’s suspension. Simeone is serving a three-match ban for this sideline incident, and will watch from a distance as his team contends for the Spanish title.
3. Real Madrid
Points: 84
Last 10 Matches: 10-0-0
Remaining Fixtures: vs. Valencia, at Deportivo
Worth Mentioning: Defeated Real Sociedad 1-0 today. Madrid have the most momentum of any of the three teams, but they’re also one point back. They also have to deal with Manchester City on Wednesday after a scoreless draw in the first leg of their Champions League semifinal. Add on injuries to Ronaldo and Benzema, and Madrid have the biggest one-point mountain in history if they want to swoop in and win a 33rd La Liga title.