8 points clear of FC Barcelona in second place, Real Madrid are on course to win their record-extending 36th La Liga title come the end of the season. The two bitter rivals engage in a high-profile Clasico on the 21st of April at the Santiago Bernabeu, a crucial tie as far as the title race is concerned.
For Xavi’s side to harbor any hopes of winning a second consecutive league title for the first time since the 2018-19 season, they’d have to emerge victorious at the Bernabeu and cut the gap at the top.
However, before that high-octane clash though, as highlighted by SPORT, both teams have two crucial league fixtures and both legs of the all-important Champions League Quarter Finals tie to look forward to.
FC Barcelona face UD Las Palmas at the Montjuic on the 30th of March, 24 hours before Real Madrid face off against Athletic Bilbao at their home ground. The team from the Canary Islands hasn’t emerged victorious in the Catalan capital in the past 50 years but former Barca B manager Pimienta Garcia would be rearing to have a crack at his ex-club.
The Canaries are well placed in the middle of the table and have all but secured their position in the Spanish top flight for next season. With very little riding on the line for Las Palmas, the tie appears to be a cakewalk for the Blaugranes.
However, Las Palmas gave an excellent account of themselves in the return fixture and were on course for a memorable draw, only to have their hearts broken by a Gundogan penalty in stoppage time.
On the other hand, Real Madrid face a much sterner test on paper with Bilbao enjoying a terrific campaign, challenging for a Champions League spot, and having a Copa Del Rey final to look forward to as well.
However, Madrid have a strong stranglehold over Valverde’s side who haven’t tasted success in the Spanish Capital since the 2005-06 season. Ancelloti’s side handed Bilbao their only home defeat on the opening weekend and will be favorites to get the double over the Lions.
The Clasico rivals have a week off owing to the Copa Del Rey final and will have their next league assignment sandwiched between their UCL QF ties vs Manchester City (Real Madrid) and Paris Saint Germain (FC Barcelona).
Both Real Madrid and Barcelona play their La Liga tie on the 13th of April, with Barca’s clash with Cadiz scheduled immediately after Los Blancos face RCD Mallorca. Cadiz are 18th in the league standings and are staring down the barrel and their home fans will give it their all to create a raucous atmosphere and act as a 12th man to help propel their team to safety.
Real Madrid face Mallorca a week after Mallorca’s Copa Del Rey final and that match could have a significant impact on the outcome of this fixture.
Los Blancos had to rely on a late Rudiger goal to get the 3 points in the reverse tie and FC Barcelona would be hoping Mallorca goes a step further to assist their title ambitions.
The Champions League ties would undoubtedly have a paramount influence on how the two teams approach the lesser-fabled league game.
FC Barcelona would desperately be hoping for Real Madrid to drop points but they themselves need to do the job at hand and ensure they are on course to take advantage of any slip-ups from the record champions.
A highly intriguing final 9 games of the season beckon upon us with both teams giving it their all to emerge champions of Spain.
