Real Madrid’s victory on Sunday away to Espanyol prevented the Blaugranas from clinching the title and meant the Whites will not be able to form a guard of honour for their eternal rivals in this Sunday’s El Clásico at Camp Nou. Despite this, the Catalan side’s 11-point lead means their EA Sports La Liga title is only a matter of time. The incentive for Barcelona is to celebrate it in El Clásico.

To do so, Hansi Flick’s side simply need to avoid defeat. That would see them maintain a lead of at least 11 points over their rivals with nine points still up for grabs. Therefore, Real Madrid’s sole objective in this otherwise dismal season is to prevent Barça from celebrating the title with them on the pitch. If Arbeloa’s men win, Barcelona will be forced to pick up two points from their remaining three fixtures.

Even if Real Madrid storm the Camp Nou, it is highly unlikely that Barça will let the EA Sports La Liga title slip away. Hansi Flick’s side’s final three fixtures are against Alavés at Mendizorroza, Betis at the Camp Nou and Valencia at Mestalla; Real Madrid end the season against Oviedo at the Bernabéu, Sevilla at the Sánchez Pizjuán and Athletic once again at the Santiago Bernabéu.

Barcelona and Real Madrid fixtures until the end of the season

• Barcelona - Real Madrid
• Alavés - Barcelona
• Real Madrid - Oviedo
• Barcelona - Betis
• Sevilla - Real Madrid
• Valencia - Barcelona
• Real Madrid - Athletic

The relegation battle, heating up

With the title and the Champions League places virtually decided, the main attraction of the final four matchdays is to see which teams secure places in the Europa League and Conference League and, above all, to find out who will be relegated. Apart from Oviedo, who have just 28 points, there are eight teams involved in the fight to avoid relegation.

Levante, who are second-bottom with 33 points, are four points adrift of safety. Meanwhile, there are just three points separating Alavés, in 18th place with 36 points, and Valencia, in 12th with 39. Consequently, it is possible that 42 or even 43 points will be needed to remain in the EA Sports La Liga for another season.

Among those eight teams involved are historic sides such as Valencia and Sevilla, as well as Espanyol, who finished the first half of the season in European places but have not won a single match in the second half. The relegation battle is red-hot, and the remaining four matchdays are set to be full of thrills.

La Liga EA Sports table after matchday 34

• 12. Valencia 39 points
• 13. Espanyol 39 points
• 14. Elche 38 points
• 15. Mallorca 38 points
• 16. Girona 38 points
• 17. Sevilla 37 points
• 18. Alavés 36 points
• 19. Levante 33 points
• 20. Oviedo 28 points