Lorraine Williamson
The title race has that familiar spring tension again — one team setting the pace, the other holding a game in hand like a quiet threat.
Real Madrid did what leaders are supposed to do on Saturday night: win with authority, keep the pressure on, and turn the table into a question for everyone else. A 4–1 victory over Real Sociedad at the Bernabéu lifted Madrid to 60 points, two ahead of Barcelona (58), who can still reclaim top spot if they take maximum points in their game in hand on Monday at Girona.
Madrid’s win was emphatic even without Kylian Mbappé, with Vinícius Júnior scoring twice from the spot and Federico Valverde adding a beauty — the kind of night that makes rivals feel as if they can’t blink.
Saturday’s other storylines: points dropped, points pinched
Away from the title glare, Saturday was full of those league-defining moments that don’t always trend — but quietly shape the season.
At the Coliseum, Getafe edged Villarreal 2–1, a result that doesn’t knock Villarreal out of the top-four conversation, but does tighten the margins for error. Villarreal remain level on points with Atlético, so every slip starts to feel like an invitation.
In Sevilla, it finished 1–1 against Alavés, another “almost” night for a side that can’t quite turn decent spells into the sort of run that changes a season.
And in Barcelona, Espanyol and Celta drew 2–2, a game that looked settled until it absolutely wasn’t — the kind of late drama that leaves both teams thinking about what got away rather than what was earned.
Sunday’s games: Europe chase and survival pressure
Sunday’s schedule has a bit of everything: a top-end chase match, a derby edge, and two fixtures with real relegation weight.
Rayo Vallecano vs Atlético Madrid is the headline. Atlético are still in the Champions League picture, but with Villarreal sitting alongside them, they can’t afford a lull. Rayo, meanwhile, have enough bite to make this uncomfortable if Atlético start slowly.
In the evening, Levante vs Valencia is the kind of match that can change the mood of a whole month. Levante are chasing points because time is running out. Valencia need points because the bottom half is tight and unforgiving. One win can feel like oxygen; one defeat can feel like panic.
Real Oviedo vs Athletic Club matters too — for different reasons. Oviedo’s problem is obvious: results have left them stuck at the bottom end, and every home game starts to look like a “must not lose”. Athletic have had a stop-start season and still need consistency if they’re going to climb.
And Mallorca vs Real Betis is the European-places subplot. Betis are the most credible “best of the rest” challenger right now — but Mallorca at home can drag you into a messy, physical game that makes your football look smaller than it is.
Monday’s pivot: Girona vs Barcelona
If Real Madrid have thrown down the gauntlet, Barça get to decide how heavy it feels.
A win at Girona on Monday night would put Barça back on top. Anything else hands Madrid the psychological advantage of being first. That’s why the title race still feels live — not because the gap is huge, but because it’s thin enough to turn on one awkward away night.