La Liga Deciding Fixtures

Okay, So it's only February 22. But with a La Liga title race this close, it's about time I took a look ahead. There are still 15 match dates to be played but there are certain fixtures that could decide which out of the obvious big dogs will triumph or falter. Both Real Madrid and Barcelona are in control of their own destiny. They are only separated by two points because Real took advantage of Barcelona's crumble to Atletico Madrid. Probably the only time where both Madrid based clubs celebrated for the same reason. Essentially if Real Madrid win the rest of their games, they are Champions. Same goes for the Blaugrana however because the two giants still have to play each other at the Bernabeu where Real Madrid are not only unbeaten this year, but they've taken three points from ever match at their fortress. Last time the two met, los blancos missed the opportunity to go 4 points ahead of their rivals because going into the match at the Nou Camp was the only time the Merengue lead the title race. Real lost that match 1-0 to a lone Zlatan Ibrahimovic goal despite having more than enough chances to put the game in their favor.

Madrid would like to think they've played the toughest part of their schedule already. Los Blancos have already visited challenging grounds like Camp Nou (Barcelona), Mestella (Valencia), Sanchez Pizjuan (Sevilla), Reyno de Navarra (Osasuna) , Madrigal (Villarreal), San Mames (Athletic Bilbao), Riazor (Deportivo), and Molinon (Sporting Gijon). These are notoriously the toughest grounds in Spain that Madrid have to visit. Real still has the challenge of going to the Island to play Mallorca in the ONO Estadi. It proved a struggle for the Galacticos. We've only taken a measly 11 points out of a possible 24 from the away matches listed above. However there is an upside. With those matches behind us, those squads have to travel to fortress Bernabeu in this latter half of the season. Madrid tend to find the net at relative ease in La Casa Blanca which has attributed to them being La Liga's top scorers after the 6-2 thumping of Villarreal this weekend. Los Blancos have racked up 59 league goals compared to Barca's 57. However, the Blaugrana have let up 4 less goals this campaign which gives them a 2 goal better goal differential. So enough with the stats. Let's take a look at so crucial fixtures starting with the match they both have in common.

El Clasico: Real Madrid vs Barcelona - Estadio Santiago Bernabeu - April 11

Ultimately this is the big one. Like I said If Madrid win all the rest of their matches they'll be holding up their 32nd La Liga title. Barcelona's Sergi Busquets already said to the press that the title will be decided in this match. It's the six pointer at the top of the league. If Real and Barca win all their matches up until this point, it will surely a vital factor. If Madrid were to win at this point, only for the second point this season would they climb above their rivals. The gap would only be a point but nonetheless Real would be 1st. If Barcelona were to win in the Bernabeu (which they so painfully destroyed last season) they would extend their lead back to 5 points. Barcelona have won the last 3 clashes between the sides but he match always has an entertaining twist to it. Real Madrid could put their stamp on not only La Liga but the world by snatching 3 points because Barca are currently considered by many to be the best team on Earth.

Real Madrid Crucial Fixtures

Real Madrid vs Sevilla – Estadio Santiago Bernabeu – March 7

A Ronaldo-less Real Madrid crashed in Seville to 2-1 earlier in the season. Casillas had what some people are calling the save of his careers where he crawled across his 6 yard box to deny a point blank shot after the ball was squared across the mouth of his goal but it just wasn’t enough to propel Madrid to victory. Pepe had Madrids loan goal. Navas and Renato cheesed for the Rojiblancos. Jesus Navas looks increasingly dangerous in every match, reeking havoc on the wing. It will be a return home for Alvaro Negredo as Deigo Capel, Adriano, Luis Fabiano, Freddy Kanoute and company look to take us down again in just two weeks time. Real Madrid vs

Atletico Madrid – Estadio Santiago Bernabeu – March 28

Many (including myself) hate putting Atletico in the same sentence as ourselves, let alone a challenge, but the Madrid derby is always going to be a high pressure game. Atletico haven’t been able to beat us since they returned to the first division in 2002 but they’re always up for it. Madrid even went out in front 3 goals to none at the Calderon and Atleti still pulled back 2 goals and a series of good chances late in the Match that had every honest Madrid fan a little shaken up and relieved to hear the final whistle. After all this is the same team that beat Barcelona 2-1 a little over a week ago.

Real Madrid vs Valencia – Estadio Santiago Bernabeu – April 18

The 3-2 win for Madrid at Mestalla earlier this season was a thriller. Higuain lead his side to victory despite Los Che drawing level on 2 occasions and the loss of defensive leader, Pepe, to a season ending ACL injury. You can never count them out with David Villa on top. He was highly coveted by Madrid in the summer, but when almost assured plans fell through, Los Blancos opted for Karim Benzema instead who played a part in putting Valencia away in the fall. This will be a stern test after El Clasico has been played. If Madrid beat Barcelona, choking on Valencia would be a real shame.

Real Madrid vs Athletic Bilbao – Estadio Santiago Bernabeu – May 9

I simply put this game in here because I’m still upset about this loss. Even though Bilbao beat us 1-0 in the Basque Country, we were clearly the better side. After they went above 1-0 via Llorente in the 3rd minute, they never had another shot on goal. Madrid hasn’t lost in La Liga since then but I am craving revenge.

Barcelona Crucial Fixtures

Barcelona vs Valencia – Camp Nou – March 14

These two teams played to a thrilling (yes, I said thrilling) goalless draw at Mestalla earlier this season. I say thrilling because I’m a Madrid supporter and Valencia should have beaten the Blaugrana despite missing star striker David Villa. Juan Mata and David Silva asked plenty of questions of the backline. One of them (I forget which) was in the six and volleyed the ball right into Valdes with a whole goal just gaping and begging to be scored on. Nonetheless I was happy Barcelona dropped 2 points there.

Villarreal vs Barcelona – Estadio Madrigal – May 2

We skipped all the way to May where Barcelona will play the first of two vital late season clashes away from home. This one is against Villarreal who came back to draw Barcelona 1-1 at the Nou Camp earlier this season. Barca is always expected to win by their fans as well. I watched that match at home in my living room screaming for the Yellow Submarine, much like I screamed against them recently against Madrid. Villarreal was robbed of at least one penalty against Barca and perhaps deserved a win. Barcelona already knows they’ll have to play better to beat the Submarine at their place.

Sevilla vs Barcelona – Estadio Sanchez Pizjuan – May 9

Just a week after the Villarreal test, the Rojiblancos will be standing in the champions way. Sevilla already managed to knock Barcelona out of the Copa del Rey this season but were smashed 4-0 at Camp Nou just a week later. The fans in Andalusia will be lively after the nail-biting and heated affair that occurred last time the two teams met in Seville (Barca’s Copa del Rey exit). Barcelona has a lot of away pressure to withstand at the end of the season. If Madrid can take full advantage of El Clasico, it’s a possibility that the all-mighty Barcelona may crumble under the weight of their own expectations in the final half month of La Liga play.

Unlike Madrid, Barcelona have to travel to most of their most challenging games this spring. It’s up for grabs. Us as Madridsitas would love to outreach the Blaugrana in race for the finish. This is looking to be as good a title race as the 2006-2007 where Real Madrid came from behind to beat Mallorca 3-1 on the final match day to win La Liga on the head-to-head rule. Everything will unfold in coming weeks. Who knows, maybe there will be a slip up where it’s least expected. I didn’t put Mallorca vs Madrid in the mix there but that too will pose a threat to our title campaign. Will the Mighty Madrid take the title? Only time will tell.

HALA MADRID

Bobby.