Spanish league season reaches its climax

Madrid: The Spanish league season reaches its climax on Sunday with the title race to be decided, the relegation battle still alive and European spots up for grabs.

Barcelona will win its 20th league title if it beats Valladolid at the Camp Nou or matches the result of closest rival Real Madrid, which plays at Malaga. The Catalans have 96 points, one more than Madrid.

With both teams empty-handed so far this season, the league title represents the only piece of silverware either can now win.

"We've done so much and we've worked so hard and now we've just got one more small step to take," said Barcelona forward Lionel Messi, who has scored 32 league goals this season.

Retaining the league crown would be a relatively poor return for Barcelona after it won the Champions League, Copa del Rey and league title last season. However, it has already notched up some impressive statistics this league season, including a record points haul and only one loss, to Atletico Madrid.

Standing between Barcelona and the title is Javier Clemente, the revered veteran coach of Valladolid who was drafted in to save the club from relegation. His 16th-place team can still go down on Sunday, giving it plenty to play for.

"We know that it's up to us but it will be hard because Valladolid also has plenty at stake. We have to take advantage of playing in front of our fans," Messi said.

Former Spain coach Clemente is known for saving teams in freefall from the drop, as he did with Athletic Bilbao in 2006 and Espanyol in 2003.

"Let's see what the devil I can come up with to hurt Barcelona. It's a fantastic team, they're the best in the world," Clemente said. "I have to make sure my team is convinced that we have more of a chance than we really do."

Malaga, which is in 18th spot, is also fighting to stay up but Madrid's players insist they are still motivated by the possibility of Barcelona slipping up.

"All we can do is keep fighting until the end," said striker Gonzalo Higuain. "Madrid can win the league. Our morale is very high and we're 100 percent psyched up."

Madrid defender Sergio Ramos said losing the title would not be a disaster.

"If we finish the season without any trophies, it won't be a failure although it would be unexpected," he said. "We aspire to win titles, but this should help us reflect and learn and be stronger so we can face the coming season."

The other teams playing to stay in the first division are Tenerife, Racing Santander and Xerez. With four teams level on 36 points, it would be a remarkable achievement if Xerez, on 33 points, manages to escape relegation. For that to happen, it needs to win and for other results to conspire in its favor.

The team has been rooted to the bottom of the table for almost the entire season, although three wins and a draw in its last six games have kept its top-flight hopes alive.

Xerez's Emiliano Armenteros said Sunday's must-win game against Osasuna was the most important of his career.

"We have to win, because we're playing for so much," he said. "We have to get the three points, whatever happens, and then wait for the other results."

With Valencia having already secured third spot, Sevilla and Mallorca are vying for the final Champions League berth. Sevilla, on 60 points, visits

Almeria. Mallorca, on 59, hosts Espanyol.

Meanwhile, Getafe and Villarreal, level on 55 points, fight for sixth spot and a place in the Europa League next season. Getafe visits that competition's newly crowned champion Atletico Madrid and Villarreal travels to Zaragoza.

On Saturday, it's: Athletic Bilbao vs. Deportivo La Coruna; Atletico Madrid vs. Getafe; Zaragoza vs. Villarreal; Almeria vs. Sevilla; and Mallorca vs. Espanyol.

On Sunday, it's: Racing Santander vs. Sporting Gijon; Barcelona vs. Valladolid; Valencia vs. Tenerife; Osasuna vs. Xerez; and Malaga vs. Real Madrid.