La Liga leaders Real Madrid host Athletic Bilbao on Sunday in an exciting finale to the Spanish top flight’s season. Madrid took firm control of the title race ahead of the international break with victory over Catalan lowly Girona, but Ernesto Valverde’s ambitious Atletico side will be The Santiago Bernabeu becomes a tough opponent. The Basque side are vying for a top-four finish in the Copa del Rey final and a return to the Champions League next season.
Athletic Bilbao are fourth, ahead of fifth-placed Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid, who face Villarreal on Monday.
Madrid sit eight points clear of champions Barcelona with nine games remaining and will be confident of claiming a third title in five seasons if they can beat Athletic Bilbao.
The Catalans have found form in recent weeks after coach Xavi Hernandez said he would leave at the end of the season and host Las Palmas on Saturday.
Barcelona are unbeaten in 10 games and beat Atletico 3-0 at the Estadio Metropolitano in their last game to show Madrid they will not go down without a fight.
“All the players gave their best and were at their best,” Xavi warned ahead of the international break.
“Now we’re in the best moment of the season and it’s a dream moment.”
He added: “An eight-point advantage is already huge (but) we will go head-to-head with them and we will try to do that.”
Real Madrid defender Eder Militao is set to return from injury, although he is unlikely to face Athletic Bilbao.
Top scorer Jude Bellingham is set to return to the squad after a two-match suspension, although he and Fede Valverde return from international duty with minor fitness issues.
Despite Real Madrid’s frequent injuries this season, Ancelotti is optimistic about the team’s chances of winning the title this season.
“I’m very optimistic, we are better than ever,” the Italian said before Madrid beat Osasuna in their previous game.
“We have to be excited about the games that are coming, we have to feel happy, satisfied and hopeful.”
Girona are seven points ahead of Atletico and should be able to retain their place in the top four despite a serious dip in form with four defeats in their last six games.
“Not reaching the Champions League will be a huge blow,” head coach Michel Sanchez admitted.
Girona hosts seventh-placed Real Betis on Sunday before visiting Atletico Madrid.
Player to Watch: Lamine Yamar
The Barcelona winger continues to shine for his club and country, playing a key role in Spain’s entertaining draw against Brazil on Tuesday. Barca coach Xavi Hernandez is torn between trying not to burn out the 16-year-old and giving him free reign on the right wing ahead of Las Palmas’ visit to Catalonia on Saturday Capital of Nigeria.
key statistics
3 – Real Betis striker Chimi Avila has been sent off the most this season, twice during his time at Osasuna
15 – Athletic Bilbao goalkeeper Unai Simon has kept most clean sheets
72 – Tackle success rate for Barcelona defender Pau Cubarsi, who recently made his Spanish debut aged 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)
on Monday
Villarreal v Atletico Madrid (1900)
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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