Picture Credit: LaLiga
The ongoing season of LaLiga Santander 2020-21 is undoubtedly proving to be one of the best seasons in the history of the Spanish league. After many years, the fans are witnessing a four-horse race in any football league and it is certainly going down the wire. Coming into Matchday 35, all eyes were on the crucial encounter between Atletico Madrid and Barcelona. The winners of that match would have put themselves in the driving seat to win the title. However, a goalless draw at Camp Nou opened the doors for an epic end to the season.
Read More: Barcelona 0-0 Atletico Madrid - Match Report
As Laliga enters the business end of the season, all the top four teams - Atletico Madrid, Barcelona, Real Madrid and Sevilla are in with a chance to become the champions. The points table after Saturday's matches is as follows:
With things getting so competitive, let us have a look at how all the four clubs are currently placed in the title race, what are their upcoming fixtures and what they need to do to become Laliga champions.
1. Atletico Madrid
Atletico Madrid have spent most of the season at the top of the points table and were once cruising towards the title. However, they dropped a few points in between to make life difficult for themselves. They currently occupy the first spot with 77 points in 35 games. To win the title, they might well have to win all their remaining matches and hope for Real Madrid to drop points in any one of their next four matches. If they end up on the same points as their city rivals, Atletico will lose out because of their inferior head-to-head record against Real.
The upcoming fixtures for Diego Simeone's side are as follow:
Real Sociedad (May 13, 1:30 AM IST) - Home
Osasunsa (May 16, 10:00 PM IST) - Home
Real Valladoid (May 23, 9:30 PM IST) - Away
2. Barcelona
The Blaugrana never looked in the race of winning the Laliga title in the first half of the season but have bounced back since then. They currently find themselves with 75 points in 35 games and have relatively easy fixtures towards the business end. While they would certainly have to win all their matches, Barca would need both the Madrid clubs to lose at least one match since they have an inferior head-to-head record against both of them.
The upcoming fixtures for Ronald Koeman's side are as follow:
Levante (May 12, 1:30 AM IST) - Away
Celta Vigo (May 16, 10:00 PM IST) - Home
Eibar (May 23, 9:30 PM IST) - Away
3. Real Madrid
The defending champions also had a tough start to their campaign but now find themselves with destiny in their own hands, with 74 points in 34 games. If the Los Blancos can win all their remaining four matches, they will win the title despite of what happens in other games. However, they have the toughest run of fixtures among the top four and will be required to be at their absolute best. If RM drop points, they would need Atletico and Barca to drop points as well. One thing in favour of Madrid is that they have a better head-to-head record against both the clubs and will emerge as champions if they end up on same points as them.
The upcoming fixtures for Zinedine Zidane's side are as follow:
Sevilla (May 10, 12:30 AM IST) - Home
Granada (May 14, 1:30 AM IST) - Away
Athletic Club (May 16, 10:00 PM IST) - Away
Villareal (May 23, 9:30 PM IST) - Home
4. Sevilla
The story of this season in Laliga has to be the consistency Sevilla has shown this season. They are currently on 70 points in 34 matches and have an outside chance to win the title. However, lot of things will need to go in their favour if they have to create history. While they would have to win all their games, they would need all the top three clubs to lose at least two of their remaining games. A win against Real Madrid this weekend would put them just one point away from the third spot.
The upcoming fixtures for Julen Lopetegui's side are as follow:
Real Madrid (May 10, 12:30 AM IST) - Away
Valencia (May 14, 1:30 AM IST) - Home
Villareal (May 16, 10:00 PM IST) - Away
Alaves (May 23, 9:30 PM IST) - Home