What results do Real Madrid need to be champions after the draw with Sevilla?
Real Madrid’s 2-2 draw with Sevilla changes the situation in the title race for LaLiga. Before the game, Zidane’s men depended on themselves, now they don’t.
It’s been a long time since we have seen four teams who, mathematically, could all go on to lift LaLiga with three games of the competition remaining. Sunday’s 2-2 draw between Real Madrid and Sevilla showed that there are many twists and turns left before the competition concludes on 23 May. Madrid’s clash with Sevilla was the last direct meeting between the contenders; 24 hours earlier Barcelona and Atlético Madrid, the other two, couldn’t decide their game at Camp Nou.
Zidane’s Madrid had gone into the Sevilla game as the only aspirant to the title who depend on their own results. But the two points dropped against Lopetegui's Sevilla changes everything. Now, Atleti need only win their remaining three games to be crowned champions – the others need Simeone’s side to drop points.
Atlético depend on themselves
After the Week 35 fixtures, Atlético top the table on 77 points, Real Madrid are second on 77 points – the same as Barcelona, who are third because they have an inferior head-to-head record against Zidane’s team. Sevilla have now fallen slightly behind and sit fourth on 71 points – six points behind the leaders, against whom they have an inferior head-to-head, but mathematically at least, they’re still in it.
To retain the league title they won last year, Zidane’s team must win all of their remaining games and hope that Atleti either lose one or draw two of their games. Atlético will win the league if they end the campaign on 86 points. The maximum points Madrid can now get is 84.
Madrid do have a favourable head-to-head record against Atlético and so would clinch the title if the two clubs are tied on points on the final day. They lost the Week 13 visit to Valdebebas 2-0 and could only draw 1-1 with their neighbours in the reverse fixture in March.
Remaining games
Atlético: Real Sociedad (H), Osasuna (H), Valladolid (A)
Barcelona: Levante (A), Celta (H), Eibar (A)
Real Madrid: Granada (A), Athletic (A), Villarreal (H)
Sevilla: Valencia (H), Villarreal (A), Alavés (H)