MADRID, April 21 (silubaba) -- La Liga's Matchday 30 comes ahead of a round of midweek games in a packed schedule and sees some direct duels in the battle to avoid relegation and the race for the title. Here are some things to look out for this weekend in Spain.
1. Big game at Camp Nou
Although FC Barcelona appear to have an unassailable 11-point lead at the top of La Liga, Xavi Hernandez's side has shown worrying signs of fatigue in recent matches. The 0-0 draw in Getafe was their third consecutive game without scoring, and they rarely looked like breaking down a side fighting to avoid relegation.
Barca have clearly missed Pedri, Ousmane Dembele, Frenkie de Jong, and Andreas Christensen, and Sergi Roberto joined the injury list when he tore his hamstring in Getafe.
Although De Jong and Pedri could return on Sunday, it doesn't seem like the best time for Barca to face an Atletico Madrid side that has won 10 games from 12, with Antoine Griezmann in top form.
Barca's defense is still a guarantee with just nine goals conceded all season, but another slip-up would set off alarm bells.
2. Double focus for Real Madrid
Although Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti appears to be prioritizing the UEFA Champions League, rotating his starting 11 considerably in the last two league matches, Madrid could see a glimmer of a chance in the race for the title if Barcelona lose to Atletico Madrid.
Real Madrid host Celta Vigo on Saturday, and three points would take them within eight points of Barca and add pressure for Sunday's game at Camp Nou.
Celta have lost momentum in recent games, but players such as Iago Aspas and Gabri Veiga still pose a threat.
Ancelotti's task ahead of his side's Champions League semifinal is to put as much pressure as possible on a faltering Barcelona and hope they crack.
3. Now or never for Valencia in Elche
Valencia's 2-0 defeat at home to Sevilla last weekend in a direct battle to avoid relegation was a crushing blow to Ruben Baraja's side, leaving them 18th in the table, three points from safety.
Baraja inspired Valencia to two wins in three games upon his arrival, but the bounce has now gone, with just one point from a possible 12 and a growing injury list that limits his options, with 36-year-old Edinson Cavani as Valencia's only fit striker.
Valencia's trip to Elche on Sunday is absolutely vital, as Elche have just two wins and 13 points all season and have lost their last four matches.
4. Joaquin begins his long goodbye
Betis winger Joaquin Sanchez announced he will retire at the end of the season on Wednesday, ending a 23-year career. The 41-year-old has made 615 top-flight appearances in Spain - just seven short of Andoni Zubizarreta's record.
If Joaquin is to equal or break that record, he needs to play in at least seven of Betis' last nine games of the season, and there will be a lot of pressure on Betis coach Manuel Pellegrini to allow him to do so.
However, Betis are still locked in a battle to qualify for Europe next season, with a win away to Osasuna giving them a chance to pressure Real Sociedad in fourth place.
Joaquin has made only 15 league appearances (14 as a substitute) this season. With so much at stake, can Pellegrini allow sentiment to dictate his team selection? ■
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