Sometime in February, Barcelona were leading the league table with more than seven points. Things took a dramatic turn when the high-flying European giants met their bitter rivals Real Madrid at the Nou Camp. A Cristiano Ronaldo late finish was all the visitors needed to end the hosts 39-match unbeaten run but very few people would imagine the extent of damage the loss would cause to Los Blaugrana and their fans.
Los Blancos literally plucked some feathers off the high-flying Catalans, and since then, Luis Enrique’s men have been struggling to fly once again. The Blaugrana’s lead at the top of the table has been reduced to 3 points only, and are now facing stiff competition from the two Madrid giants; Real and Atletico. 
Talking of Atletico, Diego Simeone’s men already showed Luis Enrique’s side the kind of damage they are capable of doing to their title hopes this season, having already bundled them out of the UEFA Champions League last Wednesday on a 3-2 aggregate.
Who has the toughest run?
Atletico Madrid:
Los Rojiblancos will have to pay the price for beating Barcelona in the Champions League; they will now have both the La Liga and Champions League title to fight for.
Diego Simeone’s men have a relatively easy league fixture coming up. Apart from facing Bayern Munich both home and away, the Madrid giants could pile more pressure on Barca at the top by registering crucial wins against Granada, Athletic Bilbao, Malaga, Rayo Vallecano, Levante, and then finish their campaign against Celta Vigo. Here are the remaining fixtures for Atleti in all competitions:
Real Madrid:
On the other hand, Zinedine Zidane’s men also seem to have quite an easy fixture, considering their recent form. They face Getafe this weekend, host Villarreal next, then travel to Rayo, before beginning their Champions League title pursuit at the Etihad Stadium against Man City. They will then face struggling Real Sociedad, who pulled off a famous and shocking win over Luis Enrique’s men one week ago, then welcome The Citizens at the Santiago Bernabeu for the return leg of the UCL semis.
Los Merengues will then face Valencia in their second-last La Liga fixture, before finishing their campaign away to Deportivo. Here is a preview of their remaining fixtures in all competitions:
FC Barcelona:
Now, all eyes will be on Barcelona, who were expected to wrap up the title-race a few weeks ago but choose to invite their opponents in the final stretch of the campaign. The defending champions host Valencia at Nou Camp, travel to Deportivo, and then return home to face Sporting. Their remaining fixtures will also see them face Real Betis, Espanyol, Granada and Sevilla in the final of the Copa del Rey.
Here is a preview of their remaining league fixtures:
Permutations - What are the possible scenarios?
With Barcelona’s lead reduced to 3 points only, they need to win all their remaining fixtures to be guaranteed of clinching the league title. If they lose any of their remaining fixtures and Los Colchoneros win their remaining games, then the league title will be heading to Madrid.
Real Madrid, following closely in the third position on the log, also need to win all their remaining fixtures. Interestingly, the top three sides will not face each other again in La Liga this season, and hence, things could become even more complicated as there is no chance of ruining the opponent’s shot at the title. It will be a battle prepared on the grounds of fairness as both top three teams have six games each remaining in the league.
Barcelona could easily run away with the title if they rediscover their previous form that saw them go 39 matches unbeaten, before it is too late. With Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid still participating in the Champions League, and the possibility of fatigue tickling in due to the congested fixtures that would see them play in midweek and weekends, the title is Luis Enrique’s to lose.
An all-Madrid final? Pep vs Pellegrini in the ultimate game? Here's the reaction: https://t.co/87vgmnDw5Y#UCLDraw pic.twitter.com/Hs9NdyGhB9
— LiveSoccerTV.com (@LiveSoccerTV) April 15, 2016
For instance, unless the fixtures change, Real Madrid will play Villarreal on Wednesday April 20, then face Rayo three days later on a Saturday. Three days later, again, Los Blancos will travel to England to face Man City in the first-leg of their UCL fixture. With a span of less than 72 hours to rest in between their next fixtures, the reality of fatigue and injuries could play a big role in determining which team lifts the title.
Atletico Madrid are not safe either; unless the fixtures change, they play Granada at the Vincente Calderon on Sunday, April 17, then travel to Atletico Bilbao three days later, and then return home to face Malaga three days later. Four days after the Malaga clash, Diego Simeone’s men will embark on a trip to Germany to face Bayern Munich in the first leg of their UCL fixture. That is an average of 72 hours rest-time between the fixtures.
Although FCB’s next four fixtures are as congested as Atletico’s and Real Madrid’s, their last two could give them enough time to recharge their batteries, and capitalize on their rival’s fatigue, injuries or slump in form.
A look at each team's form
It is hard to believe that Barcelona are at their worst form right now after dominating almost every pitch in Europe for the better part of their season. After suffering two defeats in the league in a row, Luis Enrique’s men can’t even make it to the top four most on-form teams right now.
La Liga form table as of April 16, 2016. (Credit: WhoScored.com)
Meanwhile, Los Vikingos are at their best right now, having won all of their last six league games. Atletico Madrid come second with only one loss in their last six fixtures in the league, while Las Palmas are third on the form table with one loss only in their last six league games.
Athletic Bilbao come fourth with one loss and a draw in their last six fixtures, while Celta Vigo, at the fifth position, have two draws and one loss in their last six league games. Barca come at a distant sixth on the form table with two defeats, one draw and three wins in their last six league games.
Out of the 32 games Barca have played this season, they have won 24, drawn 4 and lost 4. On the other hand, Rojiblancos have played 32, won 23, drawn 4, lost 5 while their city rivals Real Madrid have played 32 games, won 22, drawn 6, and lost 4.
All said and done, La Liga fans should expect a thrilling end to the season as the top three teams fight for the coveted title. Barcelona’s recent slump in form has clearly demonstrated that it doesn’t really matter how you start the race; the finishing is all that matters. But can they still rise up and claim the title? Or will they sit back and pave way for Zidane’s and Simeone’s men to fight for it? The last six matches will provide all the answers.
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