Real Sociedad's goalkeeper Alex Remiro (left) goes the ball during Spanish La Liga soccer match between Real Sociedad and Real Madrid at the Reale Arena stadium in San Sebastian, Spain on May 2, 2023. (PHOTO / AP)
MADRID – FC Barcelona were crowned La Liga champions last weekend, but although the title race has been decided, everything else hangs in the balance. Here are some things to look out for in Spain in the coming days.
1. Can Real Sociedad take advantage of Barcelona party?
Real Sociedad have only ever won three times in the Camp Nou in their entire history, but two of those wins came after Barca had already secured the title, and that implies the visitors have a good chance of three big points
A win for Real Sociedad at Barcelona's Camp Nou Stadium on Saturday would put the San Sebastian outfit within touching distance of a place in next season's Champions League, and this could be the perfect moment to take three points.
Last weekend saw Barcelona lift the league title with four games left to play, and the Real Sociedad players will perform a traditional guard of honor to applaud the Barca players onto the pitch.
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Real Sociedad have only ever won three times in the Camp Nou in their entire history, but two of those wins came after Barca had already secured the title, and that implies the visitors have a good chance of three big points.
2. Valencia to test Real Madrid with nothing to play for
Real Madrid's 4-0 defeat to Manchester City in the return leg of their Champions League semifinal has caused a lot of damage at the club, with talk quickly turning to who should stay and who should leave over the summer.
Carlo Ancelotti's side welcome Valencia with absolutely nothing to play for over the last two and a half weeks of the season. Their Copa del Rey win means they will play the Spanish Super Cup in Saudi Arabia, but they are out of the Champions League and 14 points behind Barca in La Liga, and Ancelotti will have to decide whether to once again rest key players.
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Valencia travel to the Santiago Bernabeu just three points above the relegation zone and with plenty of work to do to ensure their survival, but the arrival of young players such as Javi Guerra, Alberto Lopez and Diego Lopez has given them a new spark, and if the Madrid players are tired and fail to focus, Valencia could spring a surprise.
Barcelona's Gavi (left) runs with the ball past Sevilla's Erik Lamela during a Spanish La Liga soccer match between Barcelona and Sevilla at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain on Feb 5, 2023. (PHOTO / AP)
3. Another tense weekend in the relegation struggle
Almeria's away form has been poor, but their home results have sustained them and they need another three points when they entertain mid-table Mallorca, who have nothing to play for
It promises to be another tense weekend near the bottom with Valencia, Almeria, Cadiz, Real Valladolid and Getafe all separated by just three points, with second-from-bottom Espanyol three points further behind.
Cadiz, who have lost their last two games, are at home to Valladolid, who are on a four-game losing streak in what looks like a vital game on Friday night, while anything other than three points for Getafe in their home game against already-relegated Elche would be a disaster.
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Almeria's away form has been poor, but their home results have sustained them and they need another three points when they entertain mid-table Mallorca, who have nothing to play for.
Finally, Espanyol have to take something from their visit to Rayo Vallecano's Vallecas Stadium, because with Atletico Madrid at home in midweek and then a visit to Valencia coming up, defeat would leave them with a mountain to climb and a foot in the second division.
4. Sevilla get boost ahead of derby
Sevilla fought back brilliantly on Thursday night to book their place in the final of the Europa League. That gives them the chance of earning a place in next season's Champions League, but they still need to try and ensure a top-seven finish in order to qualify for the Europa League in case they lose the final.
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Sunday sees them face Real Betis in the Seville derby -- one of the bitterest rivalries in Spain.
Expect tension, controversy and Sevilla trying to ride a wave of optimism against their city rivals.