Two Games That Can Decide the Title
This weekend in Spain promises to be a crucial one in deciding the La Liga title. Leaders Atletico Madrid will travel to Catalonia to face third placed Barcelona, while current champions Real Madrid will aim to overcome their midweek Champions League disappointment when they face fourth placed Sevilla.
Atletico currently sit top of the league on 76 points, Real Madrid are in second place on 74 points, Barcelona are in third and also have 74 points, while Sevilla are in fourth on 70 points.
Barcelona v Atletico Madrid
Ronald Koeman is looking to add to the Copa Del Rey that Barcelona have already won this season by reaching the summit of La Liga.
Atletico Madrid are looking to stay at the top and win their first league title since 2014.
Martin Braithwaite has been included in a 23-man squad for the game against Atletico Madrid. Phillip Coutinho and Ansu Fati are both still injured.
Renan Lodi will not play for Atletico. Jose Gimenez is a doubt for the game.
The last five fixtures between the sides have seen two wins for either side and a draw. The last league match involving the two sides at Camp Nou, saw a 2-2 draw.
Barcelona come into the game having won three of their last five league matches, though they did lose their last home game to Granada 2-1. Their home form has seen just two defeats and eleven wins from their seventeen home league games.
Atletico Madrid have won three of their last five league matches. Their away form has seen them win ten of their seventeen away games. They have lost three times away from home in the league.
This game will help decide the title and both sides would love a win to help them reach their title dreams.
Real Madrid v Sevilla
Real Madrid are the defending champions, and they will be looking to move on from their Champions League exit during the week.
Sevilla, lost on Monday away at Athletic Club, 1-0 which saw their title hopes fade. Though they can mathematically still win the title, it will be an uphill task. They could still play a key role in where the title ends up though if they manage to take points of the Madrid club.
Lucas Vasquez is still out with a knee injury, while Dani Carvajal is unlikely to play again this season after picking up a hamstring injury in the first leg of the Champions League semi-final against Chelsea. Raphael Varane is a major doubt for the game and will be aiming to prove his fitness.
Sevilla manager Julen Lopetegui is likely to have Jules Koundé available, while Joan Jordan should be available despite a toe problem. Youssouf En-Nesyri should also be available despite missing some training this week.
The last five games between the sides have seen four Real Madrid wins and one Sevilla victory.
Real Madrid have won three of their last five league matches. They have won twelve of their seventeen homes games this season, while only losing three matches at home.
Sevilla have won four of their last five league matches. Sevilla away from home have won ten times and have lost four of their seventeen away games.
Real Madrid will be looking to beat Sevilla and take advantage of whoever drops points in the Barcelona v Atletico Madrid game. Sevilla will be looking to win to keep any slim title hopes alive.
