09.04.2007 11:01
Twelve points are the target
The League title chase is tighter than ever. Barça now have a great opportunity to stretch their lead, and to do that they need to make sure they collect the next twelve points on offer.
There are only nine games left, meaning 27 points to play for, although the next 12 will be
particularly important. On the next four weekends, Valencia, Sevilla and Real Madrid will have to
play each other, so only one of them will be able to win four games. That means Barça now have a
wonderful opportunity to put some breathing space between themselves and their pursuers.
Game 30
Next week, Barça welcome Mallorca to the Camp Nou, while two direct rivals for the title,
Valencia and Sevilla go head to head at Mestalla. That means only one of the two will be getting
three points, while Real Madrid travel north to Racing.
Game 31
The week after, it is the turn of Real Madrid and Valencia to face each other at
the Santiago Bernabéu. Barça, meanwhile, travel to Villarreal, and Sevilla will be at home to
Athletic Club of Bilbao.
Game 32
This is the only one of the next four weekends not to feature any games between the top
sides. Barça entertain Levante at the Camp Nou, Valencia are at home to Recreativo, Sevilla meet
Espanyol and the only one of the top four sides to go on the road are Real Madrid who will be off
to San Mamés, home of Athletic Club Bilbao.
Game 33
The crucial four-week period ends with Barça having another chance to move further ahead in
the table as they take on Real Sociedad in Anoeta. That will be on the weekend of May 6 and 7, when
Real Madrid and Sevilla face off at the Santiago Bernabéu while Valencia will have home advantage
against Recreativo.
Zaragoza, also in with a chance
Following last weekend’s results, Zaragoza have also placed themselves within shouting
distance of the league title, and are now tied on points with Valencia. But the Aragonese side
still has to face all of Valencia, Sevilla and Real Madrid. They go to Mestalla in game 24, then
face the Andalusians in game 36 at the Sánchez Pizjuán, and are home to Real Madrid the week after.