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MADRID | Xinhua | Real Madrid continues its run towards this season’s La Liga title on Friday with a visit to San Sebastian to play Real Sociedad, in a weekend where there is maybe more interest in other grounds.
Madrid’s 3-2 victory at home to FC Barcelona left it 11 points clear at the top of the league with six games to play, and with a UEFA Champions League semifinal visit to play Bayern Munich on Tuesday, Carlo Ancelotti is likely to rest key players in a game brought forward to help his side prepare for their European clash.
That should give a chance to Real Sociedad to boost its hopes of assuring a Europa League spot as it is currently sixth, with a three-point lead over Real Betis and four more than Valencia.
The biggest match of the weekend is on Saturday when fourth-placed Atletico Madrid entertains Athletic Bilbao, who is three points behind it in fifth, with a place in next season’s Champions League at stake.
A home win would just about assure Atletico’s return to the competition, but if Athletic can beat Atletico for the fourth time this season, it would see it leapfrog above Diego Simeone’s team.
Atletico was very poor in its 2-0 defeat to Alaves last weekend, while Athletic travels after club captain Iker Muniain confirmed on Wednesday that he is leaving after 15 years in the first team squad.
Girona has a great chance to assure its place in next season’s Champions League when it visits Las Palmas, who has lost its last five games, giving Girona the chance to end a run of four consecutive away defeats.
Almeria’s return to the second division will be confirmed on Saturday if it fails to win its home game against Getafe, or if Celta Vigo takes a point from its visit to play Deportivo Alaves.
Captain Iago Aspas led Celta to a 4-1 win against Las Palmas last weekend, while Alaves’ 2-0 win over Atletico Madrid left it 10 points clear of the relegation zone.
Sunday begins with a vital match in the relegation zone as third-from-bottom Cadiz entertains Mallorca, who is six points above it.
Cadiz has only scored 22 goals this season, while Mallorca has a solid defense and will look to keep a clean sheet.
Granada and Osasuna play a game between a side seemingly doomed to relegation and a team in mid-table, before Villarreal entertains Rayo Vallecano looking to keep its top-seven hopes alive.
Rayo’s recent displays under coach Inigo Perez means it is almost safe from relegation, while Alexander Sorloth has been in excellent form for Villarreal.
The Seville derby between Betis and Sevilla always provides passion and controversy, with Isco and Ayoze Perez spearheading the home side’s efforts to qualify for Europe next season.
Sevilla is safe from relegation after beating Mallorca on Monday, but the club still has doubts over the long-term future of coach Quique Sanchez Flores.
The round of matches ends on Monday with Barcelona entertaining Valencia in a game that was rescheduled to allow Real Madrid prepare to travel to Munich.
Barca will hope to be boosted by the news that Xavi Hernandez will remain as first team coach next season. ■
