With Barcelona having been confirmed as champions, the attention now turns to who will finish second in Spain and gain passage into the Champions League group stages next season.
Second-placed Real Madrid will have Spanish number one goalkeeper Iker Casillas back between the posts, after missing Thursday's 3-2 win at Racing Santander through suspension, for their match against Villarreal on Sunday.
The penultimate game in Real's erratic season, their third in a row without winning a major trophy, is likely to be an emotional affair as it will be Zinedine Zidane's last game in the Santiago Bernabeu after five seasons at the club.
Zidane, still the world's most expensive player after Real paid €72.1-million to sign him from Juventus in 2001, announced last week that he will retire after the World Cup, when he will be 34.
Real are also hoping that their other 'galactico' Ronaldo will be in the starting line-up after missing their last three games with a right thigh injury.
Ronaldo's Brazilian compatriot Julio Baptista might also be fit again after suffering a twisted ankle in last Sunday's bruising 1-0 win at Osasuna.
Valencia slipped to third, one point and one place behind Real, after their 2-1 loss to Real Mallorca on Wednesday, but will be looking to bounce back against Atletico Madrid on Saturday.
"If we get six points from our remaining two games then I am sure we will finish second," said Valencia's Spanish international striker David Villa.
"Although Atletico are a difficult side to beat where ever they play, even away from home."
Valencia's Spanish international midfielders David Albelda and Vicente Rodriguez both trained on Thursday after recent injury problems, but will face late fitness tests.
Fourth-placed Osasuna are still in the hunt for the runners-up spot.
"We have not given up on second place and we are going to fight until the end," said Osasuna coach Javier Aguirre in the wake of their 1-0 at Atletico Madrid on Wednesday.
The Pamplona-based side take a trip across the north of Spain to struggling Racing Santander on Sunday, but will be without their suspended defender Rafael Clavero.
Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard, with one eye on the Champions League final against Arsenal in Paris on May 17, is expected to rest several of his key players for Saturday's derby with Espanyol.
That may prove to be a blessing for the champions' neighbours as they are still involved in a relegation dogfight.
Espanyol welcome back goalkeeper Carlos Kameni and defender Daniel Jarque after suspension.
However, the streets of Barcelona will be decked in claret and blue on Sunday evening regardless of the result the previous night as the 18-times Spanish champions will parade their latest La Liga trophy through Spain's second city.
At the other end of the table, last season's second division champions Cadiz will be guaranteed an immediate return if they fail to get a point at Getafe.
Cadiz have fought valiantly in recent weeks to stave off relegation, and have only lost one game in their last five outings, but there is the overwhelming feeling that the trap door is yawning wide open for them.
"Football has been unfair to Cadiz, because we have been playing well. We know these things happen, but I am proud of my team. They have been outstanding professionals when they have put on this jersey," said Cadiz coach Victor Esparrago.
Saturday (kick-off times in GMT): Barcelona vs Espanyol (18h00), Malaga vs Sevilla (18h00), Valencia vs Atletico Madrid (20h00)
Sunday: Real Betis vs Real Mallorca (15h00), Getafe vs Cadiz (15h00), Racing Santander vs Osasuna (15h00), Real Sociedad vs Celta Vigo (15h00), Real Zaragoza vs Alaves (15h00), Real Madrid vs Villarreal (17h00), Deportivo La Coruna vs Athletic Bilbao (19h00) |
