The Ways Barcelona Can Clinch La Liga's Title This Weekend
It promises to be an exciting weekend in La Liga, as Barcelona look to become the third team from Europe's top five leagues to be crowned as champions, following in the footsteps of Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain.
By the time it kicks off against Levante on Saturday it will have a much clearer picture of what result it needs to a lift a fourth La Liga title in five years, but it all depends on what Atlético Madrid can muster earlier in the day against Real Valladolid.
Here's a rundown of the three ways that Barcelona can be crowned as Champions this weekend:
If Atlético Madrid Wins
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If Diego Simeone's side, as it's expected to do, gets all three points against Real Valladolid at the Wanda Metropolitano on Saturday, then it will be on Barcelona to beat Levante later on to finish off the title run.
Only matching Atlético's win would ensure that it still becomes champions at full time at Camp Nou, but it won't be a formality for Barcelona, as Levante is still fighting to break clear of the relegation battle in Spain's top flight.
If Atlético Madrid wins: Barcelona need three points to become champions.
If Atlético Madrid Draws
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If a struggling Valladolid side, which is owned by former Barça and Real Madrid striker Ronaldo, can muster up a draw at Atlético this weekend, then simply matching the result at the Metropolitano will be enough to decide the league title.
Although Barcelona can't go into full party mode before it hosts Levante, the pressure will be off to grind out a win knowing that all it has to do is pick up one point against the Granotas. Being ahead by nine points with three games to play would give Barcelona the title by virtue of its head-to-head tiebreaker over Atletico.
If Atlético Madrid draws: Barcelona needs 1 point or better to become champions.
If Atlético Madrid Loses
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If Atlético Madrid manages to lose against Real Valladolid this weekend - striker Enes Ünal has been involved in three goals in his last three games after all - then Barcelona will be crowned champions before a ball has even been kicked in Catalonia.
Atlético has only lost five games all season, while only Manchester City and Liverpool have conceded fewer goals than Los Rojiblancos in Europe's top five leagues, but another loss this weekend would end any faint hopes of a grandstand finish in La Liga, handing Barcelona its 26th league title.
If Atlético Madrid loses: Barcelona clinches the title before playing.
