The (new) routes to the La Liga title for Ronald Koeman's Barcelona side
It's tight and complicated at the top of the Spanish league with just five games left
The unexpected defeat to Granada has had an effect on Barcelona emotionally but, above all, in the title race. However, they can still dream of winning the league, even if their fate is no longer in their own hands. Ronald Koeman's side have to win their remaining five games and wait. Even so, the majority of bookmakers still make Barça favourites to end the season at the top of the table.
With five games to go, they are level with Real Madrid on 71 points but sit third due to the fact Los Blancos boast the head-to-head advantage. Therefore, if Barça and Madrid finish level at the end of the season, Los Blancos will finish ahead of the Blaugrana. For that reason, Barça need Madrid to drop points. Atletico Madrid are top with 73 points. Sevilla, meanwhile, are fourth with 70 points.
To guarantee winning the league, Barça need to win their five games and hope Madrid slip up just once. Next weekend, four days after travelling to Stamford Bridge, Zinedine Zidane's side host Sevilla at Valdebebas. It's an ideal occasion for them to drop points from Barça's point of view.
If Barça win at Valencia on Sunday and again against Atletico on May 8, they will be top prior to Madrid hosting Sevilla on May 9. This weekend, Madrid have Osasuna at home. After Sevilla, they have Granada and Athletic away from home and Villarreal at home. All three are rivals that could cause problems.
And if Barça draw vs. Atletico?
If Barça win four games but draw with Atletico, it becomes more complicated. They would need Simeone's side to drop more points -- either one defeat or two draws -- in games against Eibar (this weekend), Real Sociedad, Osasuna and Valladolid. In theory, only La Real should provide them with real problems but it's not been a season based on theory. In addition, Barça would also need Madrid to drop at least three points in the final five games. Like with Atletico, that could be a defeat or two draws.
But it doesn't end there. Because even if they win four, draw with Atletico and Atletico and Madrid drop enough points, Ronald Koeman's side would also need Sevilla to drop two points somewhere, although that could come in the game against Madrid. They still play: Athletic (this weekend), Real Madrid, Valencia, Villarreal and Alavés. It is a tough run-in.
Around 90 percent of Barça's title hopes depend on beating Atletico at Camp Nou.
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