BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Barcelona could win its second consecutive La Liga title this weekend if it holds on and Real Madrid endures another setback.
Barcelona leads Madrid by 11 points with five games remaining. If Barcelona win against Osasuna on Saturday, Madrid must also win against Espanyol on Sunday to extend their title race by at least one more round.
If everything goes according to Barcelona’s plans this weekend, their next match will see them welcome newly crowned champions Real Madrid to the Clasico.
While Hansi Flick is on the brink of a third major title in Barcelona’s two years in charge (including the 2025 Copa del Rey), Madrid face a second successive season without a major silver medal.
key match
Barcelona is missing out on the domestic title. it has won 9 consecutive games In La Liga, their domestic winning streak was ruined with only a loss to Atletico Madrid in the Champions League quarter-finals.
However, Barcelona cannot expect an easy victory against Pamplona.
Ninth-placed Osasuna have lost only twice at El Sadar Stadium this season, continuing a 10-game unbeaten streak at home.
Meanwhile, Madrid have finished a disappointing season in which Xabi Alonso was sacked and, unless events change drastically, Alvaro Arbeloa will also be sacked in the off-season, and have limped along, winning just one of their last six games in all competitions.
Espanyol are in a bigger rut than Madrid.
Espanyol were in fifth place at the start of 2026, but are still winless this year in an astonishing 16 games, falling into a large group of teams looking to avoid relegation.
Atletico Madrid face Valencia on Saturday before Diego Simeone’s side visit Arsenal next week ahead of the Champions League semi-final. First leg 1-1 draw.
Featured players
Barcelona’s 22-year-old midfielder Fermin López is expected to play for Spain at this summer’s Barcelona tournament. world cupfinishing the campaign as one of the sharpest attacking players. The goal in last Saturday’s 2-0 win over Getafe was Fermin’s 13th assist of the season and his 16th.
While Madrid are struggling, Vinicius Junior has continued his form with two goals in his last two league games.
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Lamine Yamal left Barcelona’s season ended with a muscular injury. Rafinha returned to team practice this week, but it is unclear when he will return from injury. Both Barcelona stars are expected to be fit for the World Cup.
Madrid will be without Espanyol’s regular starters Kylian Mbappé, Eder Militao and Arda Guler. For Mbappé, left hamstring problem The French striker will now be rested until the World Cup starts in June.
Militao was excluded from participating in the World Cup with Brazil. underwent surgery This week to heal a hamstring injury.
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