Leaders Real Madrid Face Athletic Bilbao In Final Run Towards Liga Title

La Liga leaders Real Madrid big Athletic Bilbao connected Sunday arsenic nan Spanish apical formation ramps up for an breathtaking extremity to nan season. Madrid person a patient grip connected nan title title aft shaking free of Catalan minnows Girona earlier nan world break, but Ernesto Valverde's high-flying Athletic will beryllium tricky guidance astatine nan Santiago Bernabeu. The Basque side, successful nan Copa del Rey final, are fighting to unafraid a apical 4 decorativeness and a return to Champions League shot adjacent season.

Athletic are fourth, a constituent clear of Diego Simeone's Atletico successful fifth, who look Villarreal connected Monday.

Madrid person a comfortable eight-point lead connected champions Barcelona pinch 9 matches remaining and if they tin hit Athletic will beryllium assured of holding connected to declare a 3rd title successful 5 seasons.

The Catalans person recovered shape successful caller weeks aft coach Xavi Hernandez said he would locomotion distant astatine nan extremity of nan season, and look Las Palmas astatine location connected Saturday.

Barcelona are unbeaten successful 10 matches and thumped Atletico 3-0 astatine nan Metropolitano stadium successful their past outing, showing Madrid they would not relinquish their crown without a fight.

"All nan players are giving their champion and are astatine their champion level," warned Xavi earlier nan world break.

"Now we're astatine our champion infinitesimal of nan season, it's a infinitesimal to dream."

He added: "An 8 constituent advantage is simply a batch (but) we person a nonstop conflict against them and we will effort to do it."

Real Madrid are adjacent to recovering defender Eder Militao from wounded though he is improbable to look Athletic.

Top goalscorer Jude Bellingham is group to return to nan broadside aft a two-match suspension, though he and Fede Valverde returned from world work pinch insignificant fittingness concerns.

Despite Madrid's predominant wounded problems this season, Ancelotti was affirmative astir nan team's chances of silverware this season.

"I americium rather optimistic and we are amended than ever," said nan Italian, earlier Madrid hit Osasuna successful their erstwhile match.

"We person to beryllium excited for nan games to come, we person to beryllium happy, satisfied and hopeful."

Seven points clear of Atletico, Girona should beryllium capable to clasp connected to a apical 4 spot, though their shape has dipped severely pinch 4 defeats successful their past six matches.

"Not reaching nan Champions League would beryllium a large blow," admitted coach Michel Sanchez.

Girona big Real Betis, seventh, connected Sunday earlier visiting Atletico Madrid.

Player to watch: Lamine Yamal

The Barcelona winger continues to radiance for his nine and country, playing a cardinal domiciled for Spain against Brazil connected Tuesday successful an entertaining draw. Barca coach Xavi Hernandez is torn betwixt trying not to pain retired nan 16-year-old and allowing him free reign to origin havoc down nan correct wing, pinch Las Palmas adjacent visiting nan Catalan superior connected Saturday.

Key stats

3 - Real Betis striker Chimy Avila has been sent disconnected much than immoderate different subordinate this season, doubly pinch Osasuna

15 - Athletic Bilbao goalkeeper Unai Simon has kept nan astir cleanable sheets

72 - percent of tackles won by Barcelona defender Pau Cubarsi, who precocious made his Spain debut astatine 17

Fixtures

Friday

Cadiz v Granada (2000)

Saturday

Getafe v Sevilla (1300), Almeria v Osasuna (1515), Valencia v Mallorca (1730), Barcelona v Las Palmas (2000)

Sunday

Celta Vigo v Rayo Vallecano (1200), Girona v Real Betis (1415), Alaves v Real Sociedad (1630), Real Madrid v Athletic Bilbao (1900)

Monday

Villarreal v Atletico Madrid (1900)

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