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LaLiga Matchday 38: Barca out to thwart Celta's survival bid
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Sean Wilson
LiveScore
Record-chasing Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen will be hoping for another clean sheet against Celta Vigo
Record-chasing Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen will be hoping for another clean sheet against Celta Vigo

LaLiga champions Barcelona will be focused on breaking more defensive records when they visit relegation-threatened Celta Vigo, who are one of six sides in danger of going down on the final day.

Real Madrid need a victory to ensure they finish above rivals Atletico Madrid, while their opponents Athletic Bilbao are hoping to claim a Europa Conference League spot — but need current occupants Osasuna to drop points against Girona, who are also in the hunt.

Elsewhere, relegation rivals Real Valladolid and Getafe face off, though the former are in far more danger than the latter, sitting in 18th place.

Almeria are also fighting for survival, which they can achieve by avoiding defeat against relegated Espanyol.

Game of the weekend: Celta Vigo vs Barcelona (Sunday, 8pm)

Barcelona have already clinched the league title but the Blaugrana can find motivation in the form of two records they are on the cusp of breaking.

Their 26 clean sheets so far has equalled the LaLiga record, while Marc-Andre ter Stegen has conceded just 17 times this term. Jan Oblak holds the record for the fewest goals conceded among goalkeepers to have played every game (18).

Celta Vigo, meanwhile, are motivated by the prospect of securing safety and know that beating Barca is the only way they can guarantee survival.

However, they are on a six-game winless streak (one draw, five defeats), so need to end that run against the champions or hope other results go their way.

Real Madrid vs Athletic Bilbao (Sunday, 5.30pm)

Athletic Bilbao must beat a Real Madrid side playing for local pride to give themselves the best chance of qualifying for the Europa Conference League.

However, they are winless against Los Blancos in each of their last 15 LaLiga meetings (four draws, 11 defeats).

Additionally, Athletic have not beaten Real Madrid away from home in the league since 2005, losing 15 and drawing two of the 17 clashes since.

Carlo Ancelotti has also only been beaten once in seven league meetings with Sunday's visitors, winning five and drawing the other.

Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti boasts a superb record against Athletic Bilbao
Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti boasts a superb record against Athletic Bilbao

Osasuna vs Girona (Sunday, 5.30pm)

Osasuna and Girona go head-to-head on the final day in a bid to qualify for next season's Europa Conference League.

The hosts currently sit seventh, level on points with Athletic and one clear of the their Catalan opponents.

Both sides are dangerous in the air, netting the joint-second most headed goals in the division (10).

Cristhian Stuani will be eager to get on the end of any crosses as he looks to become the first Girona player to score 50 LaLiga goals for the club. So far, he has struck 49 times, which is 34% of the club's total in the competition.

Cristhian Stuani is closing in on 50 LaLiga goals for Girona, having scored nine this season
Cristhian Stuani is closing in on 50 LaLiga goals for Girona, having scored nine this season

Real Valladolid vs Getafe (Sunday, 8pm)

Real Valladolid and Getafe will both be desperate to secure safety on the final day of the season — the former need a win to guarantee survival, while a point is sufficient for the latter.

Recent history favours the hosts, who have won each of their last three meetings with the Madrid outfit and have not lost any of the previous eight LaLiga clashes at home (four wins, four draws).

Further boosting Valladolid's chances is the fact that Getafe coach Jose Bordalas has won just one away game against Sunday's hosts in all competitions as a manager (three draws, six defeats).

Centre forward Cyle Larin will hope to end his loan spell by adding to his eight goals and helping Valladolid avoid the drop in dramatic fashion.

Cyle Larin has scored eight goals in an encouraging spell at Real Valladolid
Cyle Larin has scored eight goals in an encouraging spell at Real Valladolid

Espanyol vs Almeria (Sunday, 8pm)

Almeria's task heading into the final day is simple — avoid defeat against relegated Espanyol and stay in the top flight.

However, Rubi's side have kept just four LaLiga clean sheets this season, which is the joint-lowest tally in the division.

Additionally, they failed to score in either of their last two outings, losing 1-0 at Real Sociedad before drawing 0-0 with Real Valladolid.

They will hope Lucas Robertone's creativity can help them break that streak. He needs just one more assist to set a top-tier club record in a single season, with seven so far.

The weekend's other games

Mallorca vs Rayo Vallecano (Sunday, 5.30pm

Real Sociedad vs Sevilla (Sunday, 5.30pm

Villarreal vs Atletico Madrid (Sunday, 5.30pm

Real Betis vs Valencia (Sunday, 8pm

Elche vs Cadiz (Sunday, 8pm)

Follow each game with our unbeatable live scores service. Simply tap the Scores tab on the web or download the LiveScore app from the App Store for iOS devices or Google Play for Android.

Tags

LaLigaBarcelonaCelta VigoReal MadridAthletic BilbaoOsasunaGironaReal ValladolidGetafeReal BetisValencia
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