Real Madrid and Barcelona Face Key Tests as La Liga Title Race Nears Decisive Stage

Madrid: Real Madrid will take on Deportivo Alavés tomorrow (Tuesday) as Matchweek 32 of the Spanish La Liga gets underway, with league leaders Barcelona visiting Celta Vigo a day later (Wednesday). According to Oman News Agency, Real Madrid enter the contest with 70 points, trailing their arch-rivals by nine points, and will be desperate for a win to keep their slim title hopes alive, hoping that Barcelona slip up in the remaining fixtures. Alvaro Arbeloa's side have stumbled in recent weeks, drawing 1-1 with Girona last time out after a 2-1 defeat to Mallorca, and have also been knocked out of the UEFA Champions League by Bayern Munich. Alavés, meanwhile, are fighting for survival. With only eight wins from 31 matches, they sit 17th on 33 points, just above the relegation zone. They will take heart from a spirited 3-3 draw with Real Sociedad last week. Barcelona travel to Vigo on Wednesday sitting top of the table on 79 points, nine clear of Real Madrid. Celta Vigo occupy sixth place with 44 points as the season enters its final seven rounds. The Blaugrana are chasing an eighth straight league win to maintain their advantage ahead of the Clásico on 10 May 2026, moving closer to a second consecutive title and the 29th in the club's history. Barcelona won the first meeting 4-2 away from home, with Robert Lewandowski scoring a hat-trick. Elsewhere, third-placed Villarreal host bottom side Real Oviedo on Thursday. The Yellow Submarine have 61 points, nine behind Real Madrid and one ahead of fourth-placed Atlético Madrid. Oviedo languish in 20th place with just 27 points, having won only six games and conceded 48 goals. Tuesday's other fixtures include Mallorca against Valencia, Athletic Bilbao hosting Osasuna, and Girona facing Real Betis. On Wednesday, Elche meet Atlético Madrid and Real Sociedad take on Getafe. The round concludes on Thursday with Levante against Sevilla and Rayo Vallecano versus Espanyol.