Barcelona can clinch La Liga when it hosts Real Madrid

TL;DR

Barcelona can clinch the La Liga title by beating Real Madrid at Camp Nou. With an 11-point lead and only four rounds left, a draw would also suffice for Barcelona to secure the championship.

Key points

Barcelona can clinch La Liga with a win or draw against Real Madrid
Barcelona leads Madrid by 11 points with four rounds left
The match is the first clasico at Camp Nou in over three years

BarcelonaReal MadridRobert LewandowskiVinícius Junior

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — It would be a day to remember at Camp Nou if Barcelona can beat Real Madrid and clinch the Spanish league in one swoop. Barcelona hosts Madrid on Sunday savoring the opportunity to celebrate a second straight La Liga crown with a victory or even a draw when it plays its fiercest rival. Hansi Flick’s team leads Madrid by 11 points with four rounds left, so it can afford the slip, while Madrid is mostly playing for pride and to avoid the humiliation of watching Barcelona celebrate at its expense. Only a Madrid victory at Barcelona’s stadium can avoid the title going to the host. “We’re fully switched on and we want the win because it would be the best way to clinch the league title,” Barcelona defender Jules Koundé said. The clasico will be the first in over three years at Camp Nou, which was closed for refurbishment until midway through this season.

Players to watch

The clasico could be Robert Lewandowski’s last in a Barcelona shirt, so all eyes will be on his performance. The 37-year-old Poland striker has lost his first-choice status for Flick, and his contract is expiring this summer. Raphinha could see some playing time after the forward returned to the team’s squad in the last round after having missed several games with an injury. It is still likely that he will start on the bench, with Marcus Rashford and Fermín López poised to make the starting frontline along with Lewandowski or Ferran Torres. Madrid’s hopes of delaying Barcelona’s title – and keeping alive its own fragile title bid – will likely rest on . The Brazil forward is finishing the campaign in top form. He has four goals in his last three league games and has 15 goals in the competition. The mood of Madrid's squad as a whole will be scrutinized after reports in local media of arguments and even scuffles by players during practice this week as the team faces a second straight season without a major trophy.

Q&A

What does Barcelona need to do to win La Liga against Real Madrid?

Barcelona needs to either win or draw against Real Madrid to clinch the La Liga title.

Who are the key players to watch in the Barcelona vs Real Madrid match?

Key players include Robert Lewandowski for Barcelona and Vinícius Junior for Real Madrid, both crucial for their teams' performances.

What is the significance of the upcoming Barcelona vs Real Madrid match?

The match is significant as it could mark Barcelona's second consecutive La Liga title and the first clasico at Camp Nou in over three years.