Why are there no LaLiga games this weekend? The reason Real Madrid and Barcelona are off

With the Champions League quarterfinals now complete, domestic leagues across Europe take center stage once again. There is a blockbuster weekend of Premier League action ahead, with Manchester City hosting Arsenal in a crucial top-of-the-table clash, but there are no LaLiga games scheduled at all, with Real Madrid and Barcelona both off.

Copa del Rey final takes spotlight in Spain

Instead, the Copa del Rey final gets to hog the limelight in Spain this weekend. Atletico Madrid take on Real Sociedad at Estadio La Cartuja in Sevilla, with the game kicking off at 9 p.m. local time (3 p.m. ET, 12 p.m. PT) on Saturday, April 18.

The final will not be competing for viewers with games involving other top-flight teams, as the Spanish second division is the highest level of soccer being played in the country this weekend.

How Real Madrid and Barcelona were eliminated

Real Madrid were knocked out of the Copa del Rey in the round of 16 by second-tier side Albacete, while Barcelona narrowly lost a two-legged semifinal against Atletico.

The timing could hardly be worse for the Clásico rivals, who will be keen to get their Champions League eliminations out of their systems as soon as possible. Madrid lost 6-4 on aggregate in a modern-day classic against Bayern Munich, while Barça were unable to overturn a 2-0 first-leg deficit against Atletico, despite winning in the Spanish capital.

When do Madrid and Barça play next?

There is, at least, a midweek round coming up after the Copa del Rey final. Real Madrid are next in action at home to Alavés on Tuesday, April 21, while Barcelona face Celta Vigo at Spotify Camp Nou on Wednesday, April 22.

LaLiga title race all but decided

With eight LaLiga games remaining, the title looks to be all but decided. Barcelona hold a nine-point lead over Madrid and also have a significant goal difference advantage. Even if Los Blancos win the final Clásico of the season in Catalonia on May 10, they would still need several favors elsewhere to have any chance of catching the leaders.

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