A win for Barcelona against Osasuna changes everything: Here’s why 3 points in Pamplona are key for the Clásico

Barcelona’s 29th league crown is within touching distance - now it’s a only a question of when not if Hansi Flick’s team are proclaimed champions. While Real Madrid are not mathematically out of the title race, it would take a bizarre set of circumstances for the to knock Barça off top spot. In layman’s terms, in means Madrid would need to win all of the five remaining games, including next week’s Clásico at Camp Nou, and Barcelona losing at least four of their games. Realistically, that’s not going to happen.

Real Madrid cannot afford to lose another game

Real Madrid isn’t a club that goes down without putting up a fight but additional pressure will be on them this weekend as Barcelona play first and have the chance to extend their lead to 14 points. If that happens, Madrid would be obliged to beat Espanyol on Sunday night.

Real Madrid face two daunting scenarios (which Barça would undoubtedly enjoy): defeat in the Clásico, losing the league at Camp Nou then having to watch the locals celebrate before a long and miserable journey back to the capital. The other would be losing LaLiga this weekend and then having the embarrassment of performing the guard of honor for the newly-crowned champions at their stadium.

Could Barcelona win LaLiga in next week’s Clásico?

This weekend’s fixtures will determine when Barcelona lift the title - this weekend, next weekend or the one after that. Basically, Flick’s team only need two victories and LaLiga is theirs.

Let’s take a look at the possible outcomes.

If Barcelona come away from El Sadar with a win or a draw and Real Madrid lose to Espanyol, Barcelona will be crowned champions on Sunday.

If both Barcelona and Real Madrid gain identical results this weekend (win, lose or draw), the distance will remain at 11 points, with 12 left in play so LaLiga could be decided in El Clásico.

If Barça lose at Osasuna and Real Madrid defeat Espanyol, the distance will be reduced to eight points, LaLiga could be decided at Camp Nou.

Real Madrid could prolong the inevitable if they score wins in both of their next two games: Espanyol and El Clásico - as long as Barcelona lose both of theirs. That would leave the gap at five points with three games remaining.

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