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| Edited By: Mohit Saggu |Source: DNA webdesk |Updated: Sep 29, 2017, 04:06 PM IST
Atlético Madrid take on Malaga at the Vicente Calderón Stadium later tonight. A victory would take Los Colchoneros secure the top spot of the La Liga table as they look forward to their first La Liga title since 1995/96.
After the top three La Liga teams failed to record victories last game week, the league was blown wide open. League leaders Atletico Mardrid lost 2-0 to Levante, FC Barcelona and Real Madrid drew their matches 2-2 to Getafe and Valencia respectively. At that moment, Barca were on 85 points, whereas Real Madrid were on 83. Inspite of the points gap between the two rival teams, Real Madrid had a match in hand against Real Valladolid. It was an opportunity for Los Blancos to go ahead of Barcelona. But Carclo Ancelotti's men squandered their chance to go on to the 2nd spot of La Liga. The draw gave another blow to Madrid as their star play Cristiano Ronaldo injured him self. Cristiano Ronaldo, along with Portuguese teammate Pepe will miss Real Madrid's crucial match against Celta Vigo, as they hope for some kind of miracle in the La Liga.
If Atletico Madrid win tonight, they will go onto 91 points and Barcelona wins against Elche, they will go to 88 points and eventually La Liga will go down to the final day of the season (irrespective of Real Madrid's result against Celta Vigo). If this is the situation on 18th May 2014, the title decider will be played between Atletico Madrid and Barcelona at the Camp Nou. If Atletico Madrid win against Barcelona, they automatically win the La Liga. But if Barcelona win against Atletico Madrid, then Catalan club will win the La Liga, as La Liga does not consider goal difference between the teams, but the head-to-head record.
Barcelona's victory against Atletico Madrid would win them the league on head-to-head as both teams, when previously played against each other, they drew the match (21st August 2013: Atletico Madrid 1-1 Barcelona). A draw would be a fair result for Atletico Madrid but Barcelona require a victory at any cost.
But if Barcelona lose against Elche and if Real Madrid win against Celta Vigo, they would get onto 87 points, two points ahead of Barcelona. In this situation, is Barca defeat Atletico Madrid on the final day, provided Real's Madrid rivals lose today as well. In short, for Real Madrid to win the La Liga, they have to win their remaining two matches, Atletico Madrid has to lose both of their remaining matches, provided Barcelona lose to Elche tonight.
It's still anybody's league. Any team from the top three can win it, though Real Madrid have a slightly lesser chance.
