Real Madrid are poised Wednesday to clinch their first Liga title since 2008, thus ending the four—year domestic domination of Pep Guardiola’s brilliant Barcelona.
Madrid’s Plaza de Cibeles, where Real’s triumphs are noisily celebrated, was keen to celebrate the title on Sunday, but Barca delayed the fiesta with a 7—0 romp down the road at Rayo Vallecano.
“It is never easy to win in Bilbao,” said Real’s anchorman Xabi Alonso. “And they are in very good form right now. But we want to seal the title as soon as possible, so we are planning to win there.”
Bilbao are seventh but more focused on their participation in the Europa League and King’s Cup final than in La Liga — as Sunday’s 2—0 defeat at Zaragoza showed.
Two hours before the Bilbao—Real clash, Barca are at home to Malaga, who share third place with Valencia. If Lionel Messi and company slip up then they will make Real’s task easier.
Barca will again be without injury victims Gerard Pique, Xavi and David Villa. Outgoing coach Pep Guardiola will be tempted to give a rare start to youngsters like Marc Bartra, Cristian Tello and Ibrahim Affelay, who is finally fit again after seven months out due to a knee ligament operation.
Malaga need to get a good result in the Camp Nou to keep abreast of Valencia, who are at home to Osasuna on Wednesday.
Also on Wednesday, Zaragoza, meanwhile will be trying to maintain their good form at home to Levante, who are fifth. Zaragoza are level with Sporting Gijon in third—from—bottom place.
Wednesday’s other games are Atletico Madrid v Real Sociedad, Mallorca v Rayo Vallecano and Sevilla v Betis, the latter a Seville derby with little at stake but local pride.
Tuesday will see a fascination relegation battle, between defiant Sporting Gijon and troubled Villarreal. Gijon — the same as Zaragoza —are fourth points behind Villarreal, who are fourth from bottom.
On Sunday, Villarreal’s Borja Valero said: “We simply cannot afford to lose in Gijon, or we really will be in serious trouble.
That is a prospect that we just do not want to think about.”
Tuesday’s other games are Granada v Espanyol and Getafe v Racing Santander, who are already relegated.
