With four matches left to play, Madrid, who have a seven point lead over second place FC Barcelona entertain Sevilla in the Santiago Bernabeu stadium on Sunday lunchtime.

　　Should they win that game, the game would be opened to 10 points and Barcelona would have to avoid defeat in their night-time kick off away to Rayo Vallecano to stop their rivals being crowned as champions that very night.

　　If Madrid win and Barcelona only draw, then a point away to Athletic Club Bilbao on Wednesday would be enough to give Madrid the title.

　　It has been a strange week for both clubs, with the Spanish giants each falling in the semifinals of the Champions league: Real Madrid were beaten in a penalty shootout by Bayern Munich, while Barcelona were unable to defeat Chelsea, despite controlling the majority of the ball.

　　Without doubt, however, the major story of the week was the decision announced by Pep Guardiola on Friday that he will not continue as first team coach next season and the immediate confirmation by Barca President Sandro Rosell that Guardiola's assistant Tito Vilanova will step up to replace him as coach for the next campaign.

　　It remains to be seen how the Barcelona squad will react to the news, but it looks likely they will try and dedicate a win to the man who has taken them to a magnificent 13 trophies in just four seasons.

　　Barcelona will be without midfielder Xavi Hernandez, who is once again suffering from a muscle problem in his calf.

　　Madrid will go into their game looking to seal the title as soon as possible amid rumors that Jose Mourinho is about to sign an improved contract and extend his powers at the club in exchange for committing himself to seeing out the end of his contract at the Bernabeu.

　　Games against Sevilla have been feisty affairs in the past and former Madrid player Michel Gonzalez, who is now Sevilla coach knows his side need points in order to maintain their title hopes.

　　Nevertheless with Madrid closing in on the title, the local authorities will be putting protection around the Cibeles fountain, where the club celebrates its successes, just in case things work out for the home side according to script.