La Liga leader Real Madrid hosts Athletic Bilbao on Sunday as the Spanish top prepares for an exciting end to the season. Madrid are firmly in control of the title race after breaking away from Catalan minnows Girona before the international break, but Ernesto Valverde’s high-flying Athletic will be a tough opponent at the Santiago Bernabeu. The Basque side are fighting in the Copa del Rey final for a place in the top four and a return to Champions League football next season.
Athletic are fourth, one point ahead of Diego Simeone’s Atletico in fifth, who face Villarreal on Monday.
Madrid have a comfortable eight-point lead over champions Barcelona with nine games remaining and if they can beat Athletic will be confident of claiming a third title in five seasons.
The Catalans have found form in recent weeks after coach Xavi Hernandez said he would walk away at the end of the season and play Las Palmas at home on Saturday.
Barcelona are unbeaten in 10 games, beating Atletico 3-0 at the Metropolitano Stadium in their last outing. Madrid showed that they would not give up their title without a fight.
“All players are giving the best of themselves and are at their best level,” Xavi warned before the international break.
“Now we are in our best moment of the season, it is a moment to dream about.”
He added: “An eight-point lead is a lot, but we have a direct confrontation with them and we will try to do that.”
Real Madrid are close to defender Eder Militao’s recovery from injury, although he is unlikely to face Athletic.
Top scorer Jude Bellingham will return to the side after a two-match suspension, although he and Fede Valverde returned from international duty with minor fitness issues.
Despite Madrid’s frequent injury problems this season, Ancelotti was positive about the team’s chances of success this season.
“I’m quite optimistic and we are better than ever,” said the Italian, before Madrid defeated Osasuna in their previous match.
“We have to be excited about the upcoming games, we have to be happy, satisfied and hopeful.”
With a seven-point lead over Atletico, Girona should be able to hold on to a place in the top four, although their form has dipped badly with four defeats in their last six games.
“Not reaching the Champions League would be a big blow,” coach Michel Sánchez admitted.
Girona hosts seventh-place Real Betis on Sunday before visiting Atletico Madrid.
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Key statistics
3 – Real Betis striker Chimy Avila has been sent off more times than any other player this season, twice with Osasuna
15 – Athletic Bilbao goalkeeper Unai Simon has kept the most clean sheets
72 – percentage of tackles won by Barcelona defender Pau Cubarsi, who recently made his debut in Spain at the age of 17
Fixtures
Friday
Cádiz v Granada (2000)
Saturday
Getafe vs Sevilla (1300), Almeria vs Osasuna (1515), Valencia vs Mallorca (1730), Barcelona vs Las Palmas (2000)
Sunday
Celta Vigo vs Rayo Vallecano (1200), Girona vs Real Betis (1415), Alaves vs Real Sociedad (1630), Real Madrid vs Athletic Bilbao (1900)
Monday
Villarreal v Atletico Madrid (1900)
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