Breaking Down Real Madrid's Final 3 Liga Games

Real Madrid have just three matches to overturn their two-point deficit to league leaders Barcelona and take the Primera Division title.

Carlo Ancelotti’s side are currently second in La Liga with 85 points from 28 wins, one draw and six defeats. They have a superior head-to-head record against Barcelona and will therefore be crowned champions if they can make up two points across the final three rounds of action.

Here we break down Real Madrid’s final three Liga games of the 2014-15 season.

All statistics and historical-result information is as per Soccerway unless otherwise stated.

May 9: Home vs. Valencia

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Valencia are the first of Madrid’s remaining opponents. They are fourth in La Liga, with 72 points from 21 wins, nine draws and five defeats.

Nuno’s side are currently embroiled in a battle with Sevilla for the final Champions League-qualifying position. They have a three-point advantage and the superior head-to-head record but will still be keen to avoid defeat at the Bernabeu.

Los Che won 2-1 when they hosted Madrid in January. Cristiano Ronaldo gave the visitors an early lead from the penalty spot but second-half goals from Antonio Barragan and Nicolas Otamendi saw the home side overturn that deficit and emerge victorious.

Madrid were undefeated against Valencia in going on six years prior to that loss. The last 10 meetings in all competitions have seen five wins for Madrid, one for Valencia and four draws.

Los Che’s last victory at the Bernabeu came back in 2008, but Saturday’s match is still likely to be difficult.

“They are a team who have totally changed their style from last year,” Carlo Ancelotti said in his pre-match press conference prior to the away defeat. “They’re stronger and more solid.”

That increased solidity is illustrated by the fact Nuno’s side currently have the third-best defensive record in the division, with 27 goals conceded across 35 matches.

Their attack is the fifth best. Dani Parejo is their top goalscorer with 12 goals, while Pablo Piatti has provided a team-high six assists.

May 17: Away vs. Espanyol

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Espanyol are one of four clubs separated by two points in the race to finish seventh, which will yield a Europa League place if Barcelona defeat Athletic Bilbao in the Copa del Rey final.

They are currently 10th in the table with 46 points from 12 wins, 10 draws and 13 defeats.

Madrid won 3-0 when the sides met at the Bernabeu in January, with James Rodriguez, Gareth Bale and Nacho getting the goals. They have won each of the last five encounters in all competitions, while their last defeat to Espanyol came back in 2007.

Sergio Gonzalez’s side have lost at home to Barcelona and Valencia of the current top four so far this season, and they recorded a 0-0 draw against Atletico Madrid in March.

They are a league-average side at both ends of the pitch, with the eighth-best goal tally and the 10th-best defensive record in the division.

Sergio Garcia leads both their scoring and assist charts, with 12 goals and seven assists to date. Madrid loanee Lucas Vazquez has enjoyed a good season for Los Periquitos but under the terms of his loan agreement will be unable to take to the pitch on May 17.

May 23: Home vs. Getafe

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Getafe will be the visitors to the Bernabeu on the final day of the season, by which time they will hope to have secured their 12th consecutive season of top-flight football.

Pablo Franco’s side are currently 14th in the table, six points clear of the relegation zone with 36 points from 10 wins, six draws and 19 defeats.

Franco is Getafe’s third coach of a tumultuous campaign. The first, Cosmin Contra, departed for China in January, while his replacement, Quique Sanchez Flores, resigned at the end of February following the sale of attacking midfielder Sammir.

Flores was the man in charge when Getafe fell to a 3-0 defeat at home to Madrid in January. They played very well during the opening 45 minutes before a second-half brace from Cristiano Ronaldo and a further goal for Gareth Bale led Carlo Ancelotti’s side to victory.

That win was Madrid’s 11th win in the last 12 meetings between the sides in all competitions. Getafe have only won once before at the Bernabeu—a 1-0 success back in 2008.

Los Azulones have really struggled in front of goal this season. They have the third-worst tally in the division, with just 29 goals scored across 35 matches. Luckily for them, their defensive record is only the eighth-worst in La Liga.

Alvaro Vazquez is their top goalscorer with seven goals to date, while Pablo Sarabia has provided a team-high five assists.