11 point lead with seven games to go

Just like last season. FC Barcelona now have an 11 point lead over second placed Atlético Madrid with just seven games to go in the league season. That is how things stand after Ernesto Valverde’s side recorded a 2-0 victory over Diego Simeone’s team at Camp Nou.

This advantage is not exactly unknown for the blaugranes at this stage of the competition. Last season they were in an identical situation, 11 points ahead, at the same point of the campaign. With just 21 points left to play for, Barça are closing in on another league title.

Healthy lead

Since the turn of the century, only Tito Vilanova’s 2012/13 team has held a better lead at this point in the campaign when they were 13 points ahead of Real Madrid with 7 games to go. Frank Rijkaard’s Barça team in 2005/06 were also 11 points ahead after week 31’s games as were Valverde’s side last season.

Up and coming opponents

Barça have three home games remaining in the league season (Real Sociedad, Getafe and Levante) and four games on the road (Huesca, Alavés, Celta and Eibar). Atlético have four games at the Wanda (Celta, Valencia, Valladolid and Sevilla) and three away (Eibar, Espanyol and Levante).