On Saturday, we will find out the winners of La Liga, as league leaders Atletico Madrid travel to relegation battling Real Valladolid, with both teams desperately needing the win, whilst Real host Villarreal, with Unai Emery’s side having nothing to play for in the league.
Atletico know that a win would see them their first league title since 2014, which would be their 11th overall. Whilst Valladolid, who are owned by former Real Madrid and Brazil legend Ronaldo are looking to prevent themselves from playing second-tier football for the first time since 2018.
Meanwhile, lurking in the shadows of Atleti should they fail to win at Valladolid, will be city rivals Real who are just two points behind the league leaders. If Atletico draw, then a victory for Los Blancos at home to Villarreal would seal the deal in what looks set to be Zinedine Zidane’s last match as manager.
Despite Atletico having a better goal difference, La Liga comes down to the head-to-head records between the two sides competing when both teams are level on points, which favours Real on this occasion, having beaten Atleti 2-0 at home and drawing with them 1-1 away, courtesy of an 88th-minute equaliser from Karim Benzema.
Realistically, Atletico should win the La Liga title this weekend. Simeone’s men have shown character and have had the slices of luck of late to get them into this position, as in their 1-0 win at Elche on 1st May, the hosts missed a penalty in second-half stoppage time. Atletico also showed great resilience in their recent home victory against Osasuna, having been 1-0 down until the 81st minute, before strikes from Renan Lodi and Luis Suarez clinched a vital three points.
Los Blancos will be desperately relying on a Valladolid side who are on an 11-game winless run, whilst having to earn three points themselves against a Villarreal side that they could only manage a 1-1 draw with in November, despite taking a second-minute lead through Mariano.
