MADRID, April 26 (Xinhua) -- Spain's matchday 33 sees Real Madrid play on Friday, while FC Barcelona have to wait until Monday. There is a big battle for a place in the top-four, while the struggle to avoid relegation could take a crucial turn. Here are some things to look out for in Spain this weekend.
1 Real Madrid to take foot off the gas?
Real Madrid's 3-2 win at home to FC Barcelona last weekend left this season's La Liga title all-but decided as they have an 11-point lead with just 18 points left to play for.
Given the circumstances, it's logical for coach Carlo Ancelotti to focus on trying to also win the Champions League, where his side are also favorites after knocking out Manchester City on penalties.
Madrid play away to Real Sociedad on Friday night and the home side will be hoping Ancelotti rests key players and gives minutes to less habitual squad members, such as Arda Guler and Dani Ceballos as they look to assure a place in next season's Europa League, although seventh place Betis and Valencia in eighth, might not be quite as happy.
2 Champions League place at stake in the Metropolitano
Atletico Madrid and Athletic Club Bilbao face each other in Atletico's Metropolitano Stadium for the fourth time this season and this time a place in next the Champions League is at stake.
Atletico have a three-point lead over the Basque side and a home win would take them six points clear, and just about assure a top-four finish.
A win for Athletic would lift them fourth on head-to-head goal difference and put them in the driving seat.
Athletic have beaten Atletico in all three previous meetings, comprehensively outplaying them twice in Bilbao and sneaking through 1-0 in Madrid in the first leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final.
Atletico were very poor in their 2-0 defeat away to Alaves last weekend, while Athletic look to be suffering a slight hangover following their Copa del Rey triumph on April 6th, although winning the Cup and qualifying for the Champions League would be a major achievement.
3 Xavi effect for Barca against Valencia?
Barcelona's game at home to Valencia was switched to Monday to allow Real Madrid's trip to San Sebastian to be brought forward, with zero consideration to fans who had bought tickets and transport for the clash in Montjuic.
Those who can attend will see how Barca react to the news that Xavi Hernandez will continue as coach next season, against a rival whose European hopes suffered a setback with a 2-1 defeat at home to Betis.
Expect to see a young and energetic Valencia look to take the game to Barcelona, whose title hopes have now vanished and who should play without any pressure. Whether that is a good thing or not, we will see on Monday.
4 Big weekend for Cadiz, Celta and Mallorca
Matchday 32 ended with Cadiz still in the last relegation spot, with 25 points, six less than Celta Vigo and Mallorca, who are in the two places directly above them.
Celta travel to Alaves on Saturday, looking for a repeat of their 4-1 win at home to Las Palmas last weekend in which veteran Iago Aspas put in a star performance.
Everything could hinge on Cadiz's home game with Mallorca on Sunday: if Cadiz beat a direct rival, they still have a survival lifeline, but if Mallorca win or even take a point, it will start to look all over for Cadiz, especially as they visit Real Madrid next weekend.
It is an absolutely vital game in the southwest of Spain and likely to be decided by a narrow margin. ■
