Barcelona Nears Second La Liga Title

FC Barcelona stands on the brink of clinching a second consecutive La Liga title during the 34th round of matches this weekend, needing only a victory at ninth-placed Osasuna on Saturday and a Real Madrid defeat at Espanyol on Sunday to secure the championship with five games remaining.

Barcelona leads Madrid by 11 points after 33 rounds, with a record of 28 wins, one draw and four losses. The Catalan club has won its last nine league matches, including a 2-0 victory at Getafe last weekend, and boasts the best away record in the competition with 34 points from 16 road games. A win at Osasuna's El Sadar Stadium in Pamplona would give Barcelona an unassailable lead, potentially allowing it to celebrate as champion when it hosts Madrid in the Clásico on May 10 if the title slips through this round.

Osasuna, two points behind sixth-placed Getafe in the race for European spots next season, has been formidable at home, winning nine of 16 matches and remaining unbeaten in its last 10 there. The hosts recently beat Sevilla 2-1 but will miss winger Victor Munoz due to a muscle injury, with Iker Benito also sidelined by a knee problem and Aimar Oroz doubtful. Barcelona will be without...