Another setback for Real Madrid in the form of a draw at La Cartuja against Betis, coupled with Barcelona’s victory at Getafe, means the Catalan side could be crowned EA Sports La Liga champions this weekend. To do so, Barça must beat Osasuna at El Sadar and Real Madrid must fail to beat Espanyol at the RCD Stadium.

Barça’s 11-point lead with 15 points still to play for means the title for Hansi Flick’s side is only a matter of time. If they clinch it this week, Real Madrid will have to form a guard of honour for next week’s Clásico at Camp Nou. If they go into the match level on points, a Barça win in the Clásico will see them lift the EA Sports La Liga trophy in front of their arch-rivals.

In the worst-case scenario for Barcelona, they will win the title later, as it seems unlikely that Hansi Flick’s side will fail to win two matches between now and the end of the season. This assumes Real Madrid win all five of their remaining fixtures, which is somewhat improbable given the form currently being shown by Álvaro Arbeloa’s players.

Remaining fixtures for Barcelona and Real Madrid

• Osasuna - Barcelona
• Espanyol - Real Madrid
• 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 all but decided, the real drama in La Liga EA Sports is the fight to avoid relegation. From Rayo Vallecano, who sit eleventh with 39 points, to Levante, second-bottom with 33, there are nine teams embroiled in the battle to avoid dropping down to Liga Hypermotion.

It is also true that Rayo Vallecano, Valencia and Espanyol – all three on 39 points – could still dream of European places if they manage two consecutive wins. But the reality is that the priority for all of them is to reach the 41 or 42 points that appear to guarantee survival. The head-to-head clashes in the final few matchdays could prove decisive.

The only team with one foot in the Second Division is Oviedo, who, following their defeat to Elche, are left on 28 points, seven adrift of the safety mark set by Mallorca. The Asturian side must win four of their remaining matches and hope for favourable results to remain in the top flight of Spanish football for another year.

EA Sports La Liga table after matchday 33

1. Barcelona 85 points
2. Real Madrid 74 points
3. Villarreal 65 points
4. Atlético de Madrid 60 points
5. Betis 50 points
6. Getafe 44 points
7. Celta de Vigo 44 points
8. Real Sociedad 43 points
9. Osasuna 42 points
10. Athletic 41 points
11. Rayo Vallecano 39 points
12. Valencia 39 points
13. Espanyol 39 points
14. Elche 38 points
15. Girona 38 points
16. Alavés 36 points
17. Mallorca 35 points
18. Sevilla 34 points
19. Levante 33 points
20. Oviedo 28 points