Barcelona vs Real Madrid: Clash of Titans as Next Five La Liga Fixtures Could Decide Title Race
Just a single point divides fierce adversaries Barcelona and Real Madrid at the summit of La Liga, creating an enticing prospect for a thrilling conclusion to Spain's premier division in the coming months.
The Blaugrana opened this weekend's La Liga fixtures with an impressive 3–0 triumph against Mallorca, courtesy of yet another brilliant performance from Lamine Yamal. This result temporarily placed Barcelona four points ahead of Los Blancos, putting complete pressure on Álvaro Arbeloa's squad to deliver their own victory on Sunday.
Real Madrid, missing key players Jude Bellingham, Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo, appeared far from their usual standard at the Mestalla, yet they still managed to claim a 2–0 win against a faltering Valencia team. Despite ongoing discussions about turmoil at the Bernabéu, the 15-time European champions remain firmly positioned to challenge Barcelona's supremacy come May.
Challenging fixtures await both eternal rivals in the upcoming weeks, and a single misstep in La Liga could dramatically alter the title race, particularly with Champions League and Copa del Rey commitments adding complexity.
Barcelona, Real Madrid's Next Five La Liga Games
Barcelona, Real Madrid's Next Five La Liga Games
Barcelona | Real Madrid |
|---|---|
Girona (A) – Feb. 16 | Real Sociedad (H) – Feb. 14 |
Levante (H) – Feb. 22 | Osasuna (A) – Feb. 21 |
Villarreal (H) – Feb. 28 | Getafe (H) – Mar. 2 |
Athletic Club (A) – Mar. 8 | Celta Vigo (A) – Mar. 8 |
Sevilla (H) – Mar. 15 | Elche (H) – Mar. 15 |
Barcelona's upcoming two La Liga encounters feature weaker opposition: a disappointing Girona squad and relegation-threatened Levante. Neither side presents significant danger to the current Spanish champions, allowing Flick freedom to field his strongest lineup against Atlético Madrid in the Copa del Rey semifinal first leg on Feb. 12.
The major challenges for the Catalans arrive in consecutive weekends facing Villarreal followed by Athletic Club. The Yellow Submarine have experienced only five league losses in 2025–26, merely two more than Barcelona. They will also seek retribution after Flick's team delivered a 2–0 defeat at their home ground before Christmas.
Athletic Club, meanwhile, historically represents a side capable of troubling Barcelona, particularly when Nico Williams performs at peak level. Although Ernesto Valverde's team has underperformed expectations this season, they benefit from hosting the reigning Spanish champions just four days following Flick's squad's encounter with Atlético Madrid in the Copa del Rey semifinal second leg.
Barcelona subsequently return to Camp Nou—where they remain unbeaten this campaign—to face Sevilla, a team that previously achieved an emphatic 4–1 victory over the Catalans in October.
Real Madrid may avoid Copa del Rey semifinal concerns like Barcelona, but they must navigate Champions League knockout phase playoffs. Following what appears to be a difficult encounter against an impressive Real Sociedad side, the 15-time European champions must travel to Lisbon to meet Benfica.
Shortly thereafter, Arbeloa's team confronts Osasuna, and they cannot risk looking ahead to the decisive playoff leg arriving just four days later. With numerous injuries affecting Real Madrid, they likely cannot rest many players for the La Liga fixture, creating a demanding journey to Pamplona.
After navigating a hectic February, Los Blancos can find comfort knowing their opening March La Liga match involves Getafe. Celta Vigo away presents a considerably greater challenge, especially having already beaten Real Madrid 2–0 in December.