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Vital matches for both Barca and Real Madrid

Xinhua, May 13, 2017 Adjust font size:

FC Barcelona and Real Madrid face vital matches as the race for the Liga Santander title goes into the final straight.

League leaders Barca, who have played one more game than Madrid, know the destiny of the title is not in their hands, but that they have to win their two remaining matches and hope that Real Madrid slip up.

Luis Enrique takes Barcelona to face a Las Palmas side that appears to be in freefall since coach Quique Setien announced two months ago he was leaving at the end of the season.

Since then Las Palmas have won just one game and suffered defeats to sides such as Sporting Gijon and Leganes, while conceding five goals against both Atletico Madrid and Athletic Club Bilbao.

Gerard Pique is a doubt for the trip to the Canary Islands, while Aleix Vidal is a long term absensee for Barca in what is Luis Enrique' s penultimate league match in charge.

Real Madrid are at home to Sevilla in a game that kicks off at the same time as Barca's game and go into the game after qualifying for the Champions League final on Wednesday night.

They also know that seven points from their last three matches will assure them the title. Zinedine Zidane will have to consider whether to field his strongest 11 or to rest players who played in midweek, especially as his side has to play away to Celta Vigo in another potentially decisive match on Wednesday night.

Pepe will probably return to the side for what looks as if it will be his last home match for Real Madrid given that he has not signed a new contract with the club, while Nacho Fernandez could play at right back to cover for the injured Dani Carvajal.

Meanwhile Gareth Bale remains injured and as he watches from the sidelines the Welshman will possibly reflect on how his injury has coincided with Zidane finding a new formation which has allowed his side to enjoy more midfield control over their rivals.

Sevilla meanwhile appear destined to finish fourth in the table after running out of steam in recent weeks and with midfielder Pablo Sarabia out through suspension. Endit