Real Madrid Face Difficult Match Away To Celta Vigo

whose minds are currently occupied by their Champions League semifinal against Bayern Munich – will need a good result away to Celta Vigo on Saturday in order to stay on course for the Spanish first division title, while Barcelona meet Espanyol in the Catalan derby.

Vicente del Bosque’s side has to forget about Tuesday’s 1-0 loss at home to Bayern and concentrate on winning their match in Galicia to keep themselves at least nine points ahead of second-placed Deportivo La Coruna.

Celta have been the best side in La Liga over the second half of the season, and if they beat Real while Depor win away to Rayo Vallecano, the title race will be wide open once again.

As it stands right now, Depor, Valencia, and Mallorca are all battling for second place. The Galicians need to keep the pressure on Real, while opponents Rayo are fighting to avoid relegation.

Valencia and Mallorca are four points behind Depor, and they travel to Real Sociedad and Osasuna respectively.

The matches won’t be easy, as both home sides are desperate to stay up.

Fifth-placed Barcelona need the teams ahead of them to slip up while they take full points against Espanyol at Montjuic, as a European place for next season is on the line.

Anything but a victory would be a step backwards for Barca, as Espanyol are only three points behind their city rivals and have their eyes on a UEFA Cup place as well.

In other matches this weekend, Villarreal host Las Palmas, who are looking to further distance themselves form the relegation zone.

Meanwhile, Málaga visit Valladolid, who have been sliding down the table, while UEFA Cup finalists Alaves take on strugglers Racing Santander.

Finally, last-placed Numancia face Zaragoza at La Romareda, while Oviedo host mid-table Athletic Bilbao.