Real, Barca back in title hunt

Real Madrid and Barcelona can't afford a Champions League hangover as their La Liga title hopes will again be on the line today as they host Valencia and Real Sociedad respectively.

However, the title race has been overshadowed by the threat of possible shutdown of the league season next weekend due to an ongoing row among the Spanish Football Federation, the players' union and the league over the distribution of funds from a new law passed allowing the centralised selling of television rights.

Madrid trail Barca by two points at the top of the table with three games to play and face the significantly tougher task this weekend against a Valencia side looking to seal their place in next season's Champions League with a fourth-place finish.

Madrid could have striker Karim Benzema back as he returned to training last Thursday having missed the last six games due to a knee injury.

Valencia will be without former Madrid forward Rodrigo through suspension, but Jose Luis Gaya is expected to start despite continued interest from Real in signing him come the end of the season.

Barca could move five points clear at the top before Madrid kick-off at the Bernabeu as they host David Moyes's Real Sociedad at the Camp Nou.

Should Valencia lose to Real, Atletico Madrid can mathematically seal third place and an automatic return to the Champions League next season when they travel to Levante tomorrow. — AFP