Next six games after Real Betis victory

Barcelona returned to winning ways on Saturday evening with an emphatic victory at home to Real Betis.

Wednesday’s defeat at Rayo Vallecano is now firmly in the rear view mirror and Barça are closing in on their first La Liga title since 2019.

Here’s a look at what lies ahead for Xavi’s men.

Barcelona are back to midweek action as they welcome Osasuna on a Tuesday evening.

The visitors are on the cusp of Europa League Conference qualification and will travel to the Spotify Camp Nou yearning for all three points, especially after winning three of their last five outings.

Los Rojillos have a relatively tough run-in for the rest of this season as they travel to the capital to face Atletico Madrid and welcome seventh-placed Athletic Club within a three-day window. Oh, and not forgetting a Copa del Ray final against the reigning European and world champions Real Madrid.

Xavi’s Barcelona outfit then have a week off before returning away at Espanyol and will need to be wary of a shock defeat despite the hosts sitting in the drop zone.

The last two meetings ended in a stalemate which will be at the forefront of the Blaugrana’s mind, but Espanyol are winless in eight which will be music to Xavi’s ears.

Former Newcastle striker Joselu, who has 13 goals in La Liga this season, scored from 12 yards to cancel out Marcos Alonso’s early header in a fiery reverse fixture in which Jordi Alba and Vinicius Souza were sent off.

Real Sociedad have impressed this season and sit in fourth place, but they have failed to beat the Catalan club since 2016.

Xavi’s men have already beaten Sociedad twice this season but Imanol Alguacil’s team will be hoping third time’s the charm.

They will certainly be no pushovers as they look to finish this season on a high by securing Champions League football for the first time in ten years.

The games then come thick and fast for Barcelona as they near the end of the campaign, but Xavi will be well aware of their tightly-packed fixture congestion.

Robert Lewandowski was at the double alongside goals from Pedri and Sergi Roberto as Barça beat Valladolid 4-0 in the reverse fixture, their joint-biggest domestic win of the season so far.

Valladolid have conceded 50 goals this term, meaning they have the fourth worst defensive record in the league, so Lewandowski and co will be licking their lips.

The final game of the season on home soil for Barcelona will consist of a bout against mid-table dwellers Mallorca, who are seemingly safe in 12th with little to nothing to fight for.

It was back in 2010 when Mallorca last drew against the Spanish stalwarts. Since then, they have lost their last ten meetings while jumping in and out of Spain’s top division.

Anything less than three points for the hosts would be disheartening as they look to secure their first domestic title since 2018/19.

To finish an emphatic season, Barcelona are on the road to Vigo; however, they may have wrapped up the title by then.

A tight 1-0 win via a Pedri goal was the outcome last time out and Barça fans will hope another victory can precede likely celebrations of the La Liga title at full time on the final matchday.