Mallorca, Spain (My Sportsbook) - Barcelona won the first of three possible titles Wednesday in the Copa Del Rey and can secure the La Liga title this week without even stepping on the field.
Barca defeated Athletic Bilbao 4-1 on Wednesday to win the Copa as Lionel Messi had one of three goals during a 10-minute stretch in the second half, and could have the league wrapped up Saturday if Real Madrid fails to beat Villarreal.
Regardless of the result between Real and Villarreal, Barcelona can clinch the title Sunday at Mallorca with at least a draw.
"We are starting to reap the benefits of the effort made all season - we are thrilled to win and also with the way we did it," said Barcelona manager Josep Guardiola, who has also guided Barca to the Champions League final in his first season.
Barcelona has put together one of the finest season in La Liga history with 27 wins, just three losses and 103 goals - so far. It has won both matches against two-time defending champion Real, including a 6-2 win just a few weeks ago.
Barca's offense has been dynamic, with Messi leading the way with 37 goals and 16 assists in all competitions. Strikers Samuel Eto'o (31 goals, six assists) and Thierry Henry (25 goals, 11 assists) have also filled the nets, while Xavi (nine goals and 26 assists) has fueled the trio from midfield.
Eto'o leads La Liga with 28 goals, but he's still in a battle for the scoring crown with Atletico Madrid's Diego Forlan (27 goals) and Valencia's David Villa (25 goals).
Barcelona - which would have to lose its final three league games and have Real win its final three to lose the La Liga title - can complete its trio of titles May 27 in the Champions League final against Manchester United.
Mallorca is trying to finish off a surprisingly strong season with a top-half finish. Mallorca enters the match in 10th, but is just one point up on Atletico Bilbao.
On Saturday, Real Madrid visits Villarreal in a clash the sixth-place Yellow Subs need to win to move closer to a top-four finish and a Champions League berth. Villarreal is two behind fifth-place Atletico Madrid and three off the pace of fourth-place Valencia.
Also Saturday, third-place Sevilla visits Osasuna trying to wrap up a Champions League berth and seventh-place Deportivo hosts Getafe with its sights on a top- six finish and a Europa League berth..
Also Sunday, fourth-place Valencia visits fifth-place Atletico Madrid in a huge European-deciding match, eighth-place Malaga tries to keep its slim European hopes alive when it visits Sporting Gijon, Espanyol hosts Athletic Bilbao, Real Betis hosts Almeria, Racing hosts Valladolid and Numancia hosts Recreativo.