Barcelona are looking to win their 27th La Liga title this season and Xavi's side are 13 points clear of Atletico Madrid in second place with 15 points left to play for. The Catalan giants could be celebrating their first Spanish crown since 2019 if they are successful this weekend but there are scenarios which could change the outcome. Barca already know that captain Sergio Busquets is off come the end of this season and the Blaugrana faithful would love nothing more than to seal the achievement in Catalonia. Atleti will hope to spoil the Barcelona party, but at this stage it appears to be a question of when and not if Xavi and his players do it.
We break down the possible scenarios ahead of Sunday.
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Barcelona win
This is the most simple and straightforward possibility. Three more points and there is no way that Atleti -- or Real Madrid for that matter -- can catch Barca. A 13-point advantage of more with only 12 points left to play for after this weekend would rule out any further twist at the Spanish summit over the final month of the season.
Barcelona draw and Atleti do not win
One solitary point could actually be enough for Xavi and his troops if Diego Simeone's Atleti were to draw or lose away at Elche. A point each would maintain the current 13-point difference which we have already established cannot be overcome in the remaining four games after this weekend's fixtures. Basically, Atleti must win all of their remaining games to even stand a remote chance of winning the league.
Barcelona lose and Atleti lose
Although this would be the worst case scenario in entertainment terms this weekend, it would ensure that the 13-point gap remains intact and that Barca cannot be caught. Also, it can only secure the title in the event that Real Madrid do not beat Getafe on Saturday because should Carlo Ancelotti's men pick up three points, they would move to within 11 of Barca with 12 points left to play for and therefore keep the title race alive a little longer. Given Real's UEFA Champions League distractions, the chances of them dropping points at home is elevated so this should probably be considered unlikely -- albeit possible.
La Liga title race games
- Saturday: Real Madrid vs. Getafe, 3 p.m. ET
- Sunday: Elche vs. Atletico Madrid, 10:15 a.m. ET
- Sunday: Espanyol vs. Barcelona, 3 p.m. ET