LaLiga Matchday 37: A statistical guide to this weekend's games

Will Evans
LiveScore
  
Real Madrid's 4-1 victory over Granada keeps the pressure on Atletico at the top
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It is starting to look like a two-horse race for the LaLiga title as rivals Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid battle it out for top spot.

Barcelona’s midweek draw has put a serious dent in their chances but last night’s victory over Granada keeps Real within two points of leaders Atleti.

There is also still plenty to be decided elsewhere, with Real Sociedad, Real Betis and Villarreal engaged in a three-way fight for Europa League football.

Things are no clearer at the foot of the table, where any of the bottom six could feasibly still be relegated or climb to safety.

Athletic Bilbao vs Real Madrid (Sunday, 5.30pm)

Real will have to do things the hard way if they are to edge ahead of city rivals Atleti into top spot — they face a tricky game against Athletic Bilbao on Sunday and host Villarreal on the final day of the season.

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Athletic have proved to be difficult opponents for Zinedine Zidane’s men. They beat Los Blancos in the Spanish Super Cup earlier this season and have drawn four times with Madrid over the past four campaigns.

But the reigning champions will be confident of keeping the pressure on Atleti. 

Real come into this one on a remarkable 16-match unbeaten run, though only a win will do in Bilbao.

Atletico Madrid vs Osasuna (Sunday, 5.30pm)

Dangerman Ante Budimir will be Osasuna's biggest threat on Sunday

Atletico overcame arguably their toughest test of the run-in by beating Sociedad in midweek and will fancy their chances of picking up maximum points once again.

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Opponents Osasuna find themselves lodged firmly in mid-table and have been in largely inconsistent form, winning just one of their last four matches.

Diego Simeone’s side have the league’s best defence (0.64 goals against per 90 minutes) and have only conceded more than one goal in a game once since February 8.

But they will need to watch out for Osasuna frontman Ante Budimir. He is Los Rojillos’ top scorer with 10 for the season and has netted three times in their last two outings.

Barcelona vs Celta Vigo (Sunday, 5.30pm)

Barcelona’s title chances now appear slim after they were unable to secure victory against Levante on Tuesday night.

That 3-3 draw leaves the Blaugrana four points off the pace with just two games remaining — it is hard to see leaders Atleti dropping that many points when they have only lost four times in 2020-21.

Ronald Koeman’s men have won just once in the last four and come up against a Celta Vigo team finishing the campaign strongly, with four wins on the bounce.

Barca remain favourites for this one but there is certainly room for an upset.

Real Betis vs Huesca (Sunday, 5.30pm)

It is now nine matches unbeaten for Betis, though incredibly only two of those games have ended with Los Verdiblancos picking up all three points.

They will need to keep that run going to ensure the Estadio Benito Villamarin is hosting Europa League football next season — only Betis’ head-to-head record is keeping them in sixth place ahead of Villarreal.

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It will not be an easy task against a Huesca side sitting just one spot outside the relegation zone.

The Aragonese outfit have won two of their last three, beating Real Sociedad and Athletic Club — and they will be ravenous for another scalp in their quest for survival.

Villarreal vs Sevilla (Sunday, 5.30pm)

Gerard Moreno is back on the goal trail for Villarreal with two in his last two matches

Villarreal’s players and supporters will understandably have one eye on the Europa League final — but first they need to make sure they are playing in the competition again next season.

The Yellow Submarine are currently only in line for a place in UEFA’s inaugural Europa Conference League. However, they will be confident of ousting either Sociedad or Betis to finish in the top six.

Sevilla will provide a stern test. Despite their late title challenge fading, they will still be aiming to overtake Barcelona in third and have only lost once in 11 matches.

But Villarreal will be boosted by Gerard Moreno’s return to goalscoring form. 

The 22-goal striker had gone three league games without finding the net but now has two in his last two outings for Unai Emery’s team.

Sunday's other games

Alaves vs Granada (5.30pm)
Cadiz vs Elche (5.30pm)
Getafe vs Levante (5.30pm)
Real Sociedad vs Real Valladolid (5.30pm)
Valencia vs Eibar (5.30pm)

Tags

Athletic BilbaoReal MadridAtletico MadridOsasunaBarcelonaCelta VigoReal BetisSD HuescaVillarrealSevillaLaLiga

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