La Liga run-in: Real Madrid & Barcelona locked in title battle

Real Madrid and Barcelona are set to go head to head in what has all the makings of a thrilling battle to be crowned champions of La Liga.

The two rivals are locked on 84 points each at the top of the table but Madrid have the edge due to the game in hand they will play in between the final two weekends of the campaign.

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There are also European spots and a relegation place to be decided over the next two weeks as 2016-17 draws to a close. Here is your complete guide to the Primera Division run-in as the season reaches its final stage.

LEAGUE TABLE

Key: Champions League place; Europa League place; relegation zone. (CL) = Champions League place assured; (EL) = Europa League place assured; (R) = relegated.

THE TITLE RACE

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Barcelona currently lead Real Madrid at the summit on the strength of their head-to-head record, but Madrid can make top spot their own by winning their game in hand. That comes away from home against Celta Vigo on Wednesday, May 17.

Barca go away to Las Palmas (14th) before hosting Eibar (eighth), while in addition to their Celta (12th) clash Madrid have a home match against Sevilla (fourth) to navigate before concluding their campaign at Malaga (11th).

EUROPEAN QUALIFICATION

Barcelona, Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid have all qualified for next season's Champions League, while Sevilla need one more point to ensure they join them over Villarreal . The team that finishes in fourth will have to play a two-legged play-off round tie to reach the group stage.

Villarreal currently occupy the first of two Europa League places, but Athletic Club and Real Sociedad are just a point behind them. Athletic are currently hanging on to the second spot as they have the head-to-head edge over Sociedad.

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There is a good chance, however, that all three will find themselves in Europe. If Barcelona beat Alaves in the Copa del Rey final, the Europa League place awarded to the winner of that competition will slide to the seventh-place team in La Liga.

Celta Vigo could also qualify for the Champions League by winning the Europa League. As they are not going to qualify for Europe domestically, Spain would have eight teams in continental competition next season.

RELEGATION

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Osasuna and Granada have been relegated and Sporting Gijon are also in deep trouble.

Sporting can catch both Deportivo and Leganes , but will need to win both of their remaining matches to have any chance of surviving. Both of those clubs can ensure their safety by picking up one more point, with Deportivo staying ahead of Sporting even if they both finished with 33 points due to their head-to-head record.

FIXTURES

Round 37:

Round 38: