Barcelona v Atletico: How the Spanish title race will be won
Last updated on .From the section European Football
Barcelona host Atletico Madrid on Saturday as a dramatic Spanish title race concludes with a final-day showdown between the top two.
Atletico lead defending champions Barca by three points after 37 games, with Real Madrid already out of the La Liga title race.
Here's what can happen at the Nou Camp:
Barca win = Barca win the title
If teams are level on points in the Spanish top-flight then they are separated by their head-to-head record, not goal difference.
Barcelona will move level with Atletico on 89 points if they secure victory.
And it means they will go above Atletico as a win gives them a superior head-to head record, after the sides drew 0-0 in January's reverse fixture.
History is in the Catalan club's favour, having won their last six La Liga games against Atletico at the Nou Camp.
| If Barcelona win | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Points | |
| Barcelona | 38 | 28 | 5 | 5 | 89 |
| Atletico | 38 | 28 | 5 | 5 | 89 |
Draw = Atletico win the title
With Diego Simeone's side holding a three-point advantage, they know a draw will be enough to clinch a first La Liga title since 1996.
Atletico have already earned two draws at the Nou Camp this season - a 0-0 stalemate in August's Super Cup and a 1-1 draw in the Champions League last month.
| If the teams draw | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Points | |
| Atletico | 38 | 28 | 6 | 4 | 90 |
| Barcelona | 38 | 27 | 6 | 5 | 87 |
Atletico win = Atletico win the title
Los Rojiblancos have not won a league match at the Nou Camp since February 2006, when Fernando Torres scored twice in a 3-1 win.
They know that ending this dismal record is not essential, but victory in front of a passionate Catalan crowd would end a superb season in style.
| If Atletico win | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Points | |
| Atletico | 38 | 29 | 5 | 4 | 92 |
| Barcelona | 38 | 27 | 5 | 6 | 86 |
Copa del Rey: Despite missing out on La Liga, Real Madrid have already won one trophy this season after defeating arch-rivals Barcelona 2-1 in the Spanish Cup final. Wales forward Gareth Bale scored a stunning late goal at Valencia's Mestalla Stadium on Wednesday, 16 April.
Elsewhere around the continent
France
Ligue 1: Paris St-Germain retained their title for a second successive season on 7 May after nearest rivals Monaco failed to beat Guingamp. The principality side's 1-1 draw left them seven points adrift of PSG with two matches remaining, meaning the Parisians could afford to lose 2-1 against Rennes later in the day.
Coupe de France: Guingamp beat Rennes 2-0 in the Stade de France final on Saturday, 3 May.
Coupe de la Ligue: Paris St-Germain beat Lyon 2-1 to win a record fourth French League Cup final on Saturday, 19 April.
Italy
Serie A: Defending champions Juventus wrapped up a third successive title after Roma lost 4-1 at Catania on Sunday, 4 May.
Coppa Italia: Napoli beat Fiorentina 3-1 in the final on Saturday, 3 May.
Germany
German Bundesliga: Bayern Munich clinched the Bundesliga title with a record seven games to spare after they won 3-1 at Hertha Berlin in March. That result put them 25 points clear with only 21 points left to play for.
DFB-Pokal: Bayern, chasing a second consecutive domestic double, face arch-rivals Borussia Dortmund in the German Cup final on Saturday, 17 May.