The LaLiga run-in: Could Barça really reel in Real Madrid at the top?

The win over Sevilla moved up to second in LaLiga. They are now firmly in the Champions League places, their primary aim for next season, but will not rest there for as long as it's still mathematically possible to catch Real Madrid, who are 12 points clear. Barça have a game in hand and nine games to play. 

Can they really catch Madrid? If they beat Rayo Vallecano in their game in hand (April 24), they could move within nine points of Madrid, so they need Los Blancos to lose three games to win the league on their head-to-head record, presuming Barça win out. It's complicated. But not impossible.  

Favourable calendar?

On paper, Madrid have a harder run-in. They have to visit the Sánchez-Pizjuán (Sevilla), El Sadar (Osasuna), the Wanda Metropolitano (Atlético de Madrid) and the Nuevo Mirandilla (Cádiz). Their home games are easier: Getafe, Espanyol, Levante and Real Betis, although they could all be teams with something to play for when the games come around.

Barça, meanwhile, have tricky away games at Real Sociedad and Real Betis and trips to Levante and Getafe. Cádiz, Rayo Vallecano, Mallorca, Celta and Villarreal are to come at Camp Nou. 

Another factor that could play a part in the run-in is European football. Madrid have Chelsea to come in the Champions League quarterfinals, while Barça face Eintracht Frankfurt in the Europa League last eight.