Four things we learned from Spain's matchday 31

MADRID, April 9 (Xinhua) -- Matchday 31 of the Liga Santander saw the Madrid derby between Real and Atletico Madrid, FC Barcelona make history in Ernesto Valverde's 50th game in charge, while in the relegation battle Levante took a huge stride towards safety. Here are some things we learned this weekend in matchday 31 of the Liga Santander in Spain.

1 Barca look unbeatable.

It's not that Barcelona are playing incredible football at the moment and winning all of their games, it's the fact that at times they are NOT playing their best and still winning which seems to mean they are unstoppable.

Saturday's 3-1 win at home to Leganes was a perfect example of that: Ernesto Valverde rested key players and thanks to Leo Messi they cruised into a 2-0 lead, they then relaxed and Leganes got back into the game and just when it looked as if the points could be in peril, up popped Messi to complete his hat-trick.

It's been a long season for Barca (showed by the fact it was already Valverde's 50th game in charge) and they looked tired in Seville the previous week, but Valverde again managed his squad just enough to ensure the win, while saving the legs of Busquets and Iniesta for tougher games that lie ahead.

2 Madrid derby favors Barca

The Madrid derby between Real and Atletico Madrid could have gone either way, but both goalkeepers had excellent games with each side's respective star player scoring the goals in a 1-1 draw.

The result leaves Atletico 11 points behind Barca with 7 games left to play, while Real Madrid drop into fourth after Valencia's win over Espanyol and Real are fortunate that this season the side finishing fourth in the Liga Santander doesn't need to go through a play-off to qualify for the Champions League.

However, with everyone admitting there is no chance of catching Barcelona at the top of the table, the Catalans were the true winners in the Bernabeu and Sunday's result sets up a possible scenario where Barca could be crowned Champions when they take on Real Madrid in the Camp Nou on May 6th.

3 Sevilla in danger of missing out on Europe

Sevilla's 4-0 defeat away to Celta Vigo has set alarm bells ringing as a team which looked certain for a top-six finish is now in real danger of not qualifying for Europe next season.

It has been a tough 2018 for Vincenzo Montella's side, who have fought their way to the Cup final and the quarter-finals of the Champions League, but it is starting to look as if their efforts and Montella's policy of limiting squad rotations have left them looking exhausted.

Sevilla ran themselves into the ground against Barca a week ago and in the first half of their Champions League tie against Bayern Munich, they then paid for those efforts in the second half against the Germans and in Vigo.

Sevilla play in Munich on Wednesday and then have a decisive game at home to Villarreal next weekend, but right now next season's place in Europe is in serious danger.

4 Relegation issue almost resolved

Levante's dramatic 2-1 win over Las Palmas leaves the relegation issue all but resolved with seven games to go.

Jose Campana's late goal means fourth from bottom Levante are 10 clear of Las Palmas, 13 ahead of Malaga and have an eight point advantage over Deportivo la Coruna.

Although Deportivo and Las Palmas could theoretically catch Levante between now and the end of the season, that doesn't look likely, especially as Deportivo have a fearsome run to the end of the season with games against Barcelona, Valencia, Villarreal, Sevilla and local rivals Celta Vigo and a run of one win in 16 games hardly inspires confidence they will win 4 or 5 of their last 7. Enditem