Barcelona and Atletico Madrid to Play for La Liga Title in Historic Final Match

After failing to defeat Malaga at home last weekend, Atletico Madrid will now face FC Barcelona on Saturday in a match that will decide who takes home this year's La Liga title. According to ESPN FC, it will be the first time since 1951 that the top two teams in the La Liga table will play on the final day to determine the champion.

Atletico is also competing for a historic double, as they will play Real Madrid in the Champions League final in Lisbon, Portugal on May 24.

Barcelona has had a bit of a down season, failing to reach the Champions League semifinal for the first time since 2007 while losing in the Copa del Rey final to Real Madrid back on April 16. Barca's quarterfinal exit from the Champions League came at the hands of Atletico, who defeated them 2-1 on aggregate.

Atletico seemingly had the La Liga title in their hands, but after a 2-0 loss at Levante on May 4 followed by the 1-1 draw to Malaga last weekend, they have opened themselves up to watching Barcelona clinch a fifth Spanish league title in the last six years.

Atletico are tops in the table at 89 points, with Barcelona three behind at 86. If Barcelona win Saturday, they will tie Atletico in points and take the title based on goal differential in the head-to-head matchups. The two clubs played to a scoreless draw back on January 11, which means any goal differential from Saturday's match will decide the league crown.

Atletico sit in the driver's seat, merely needing a draw to claim their first domestic league title since 1996.