Real Madrid a win away from Liga title

Madrid, May 2 (IANS) Real Madrid will be the champions of the BBVA Primera Liga football Wednesday night if they are able to win away to Athletic Club Bilbao.

A win would give Real Madrid an unassailable seven point lead over FC Barcelona with just two matches left in the season. Should Barcelona fail to win their home game against Malaga, a draw would be enough to give Madrid the title, Xinhua reported.

Jose Mourinho's side cannot expect an easy night in San Mames, however. Bilbao have had a magnificent campaign and their fans are rightly angry at Real Madrid's decision to refuse the final of the Copa del Rey, in which Bilbao will play Barca, to be played at their home turf in the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.

Real cited that the stadium's bathrooms needed repair and refused to host the final of Copa del Rey.

But most believe that Real do not want to see Barcelona win a title on their home turf. The final will now be played in the Vicente Calderon Stadium, which has a capacity of around 27,000, less than the Bernabeu.

As a result thousands of Bilbao fans will be unable to cheer for their team at the stadium. They blame Real president Florentino Perez for the situation.

Real players can expect a hostile reception from Bilbao fans.

Bilbao are without suspended duo Ander Herrera and Ander Iturraspe while Angel De Maria is out for the same reason for Real.

Barcelona play at home to Malaga in what is a vital game for the visitors, who are level on points with third placed Valencia and aiming to qualify directly for the Champions League.

It promises to be an emotional night as the fans in the Camp Nou give their thanks to Pep Guardiola, who will leave his post as coach at the end of the season.

On Wednesday's other games, Valencia are at home to Osasuna, who still hold hopes of a place in Europe. There will be drama in the La Romareda Stadium where Zaragoza look to continue their recovery at home to a Levante side that also has Champions League ambitions.

Atletico Madrid can afford no slip ups at home to a Real Sociedad that has nothing to play for. Atletico can still finish in the top four but a top six finish has to be their realistic aim.

Rayo Vallecano still need a win to be assured of avoiding relegation but face a difficult trip to play Mallorca/

The Seville derby between Sevilla and Betis is certain to be a passionate affair. The two sides may be neighbours but are far from being friends.