La Liga remains undecided — at least at the top. Barcelona top the table with one round of fixtures remaining, but Real Madrid are favourites for the title with a game in hand to be played on Wednesday night away to Celta Vigo.
Los Blancos are looking to end a miserable run in the Primera Division, with only one championship in the past eight seasons, in which time Barca have picked up six titles, including the last two under Luis Enrique.
Below them, Atletico have confirmed third place again under Diego Simeone, while Jorge Sampaoli’s exciting Sevilla side are guaranteed to finish fourth, with Villarreal, Athletic Club and Real Sociedad fighting it out for fifth and sixth. At the bottom, meanwhile, Granada, Osasuna and Sporting Gijon have been relegated.
After another entertaining season in Spain, Goal takes a look at the standout performers from La Liga in 2016-17…
JAN OBLAK (Atletico)
Atletico will finish behind Real Madrid and Barcelona in La Liga, but Diego Simeone’s side once again boast the best defensive record in the Primera Division and much of that is thanks to the brilliance of Jan Oblak, who has established himself as one of the world’s best goalkeepers. In his 29 appearances, Atleti have conceded only 21 goals (0.72 per match) and he is set to win the prestigious Zamora trophy.
DANI CARVAJAL (Real Madrid)
Currently out injured, Real Madrid will be sweating on the fitness of Dani Carvajal for the Champions League final against Juventus on June 3. The homegrown right-back is one of the finest exponents of his position and four of his 10 assists have come in La Liga. Los Blancos are also much more solid when he is in the team and not Danilo.
GERARD PIQUE (Barcelona)
After losing his way for a couple of seasons following the departure of Pep Guardiola, Gerard Pique has played the finest football of his career under Luis Enrique and has been a rock for the Catalan club again in 2016-17, leading the back line whether Barca have played 4-3-3 or 3-4-3. Pique has also made more successful passes than any other defender in La Liga this season (1,566 — level with Las Palmas’ Pedro Bigas).
DIEGO GODIN (Atletico)
In terms of pure defending, there is probably no better player than Atletico’s Diego Godin. The Uruguayan centre-back has been brilliant for Diego Simeone’s side in recent seasons and this term has been no different. He is a big part in the team’s impressive defensive record, with just 26 goals let in all season in La Liga, and has scored three times as well. He has also attempted more headed shots than any other defender in La Liga this season, with 24.
MARCELO (Real Madrid)
Like compatriot and former Barcelona right-back Dani Alves, Marcelo is not really a defender, but the Brazilian gives Real Madrid another dimension in attack and is often vital to opening up rival defences with his runs from deep. The 29-year-old has bagged an impressive nine assists in La Liga this term, setting up more goals for Cristiano Ronaldo than anybody else (four), while he has also scored two himself, including the vital winner against Valencia late last month.
TONI KROOS (Real Madrid)
The Germany international has been Real Madrid’s best midfielder in 2016-17. The former Bayern Munich man has made more assists from set pieces than any other player in La Liga this season (eight), and his pass completion of 92 per cent is better than any other midfielder in the Primera Division. He has also scored twice, including a lovely winner at home to Celta Vigo back in August.
JONATHAN VIERA (Las Palmas)
Las Palmas were a revelation earlier on in the season, and although the Canary Islanders have faded in the second half of the campaign, Jonathan Viera has been excellent throughout. Viera has created more big chances than any other midfielder in La Liga this season, with 12, and the exciting winger has also scored seven times in the Primera Division.
ISCO (Real Madrid)
Isco was Real Madrid’s hero in the Champions League semi-final second leg against Atletico at the Vicente Calderon last Wednesday night and the midfielder has also been important in La Liga, coming in to the side to make a vital contribution in the second half of the season. In total, he has 10 goals and six assists in the Primera Division this term, having started only 16 games.
LIONEL MESSI (Barcelona)
Unusually, Lionel Messi did not score for Barca in the Catalans’ 4-1 win at Las Palmas on Saturday night, but the Argentine attacker is the leading scorer in La Liga with 35 goals this season and is set to claim his fourth European Golden Shoe this summer. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner also has nine assists in the Primera Division this term and has often operated in a much deeper role in 2016-17.
LUIS SUAREZ (Barcelona)
Luis Suarez is right behind Messi in the race to finish as top scorer in the Primera Division this term. The Uruguayan has hit 27 goals in La Liga in 2016-17 and none of those has come from the penalty spot. Suarez has also made more assists than any other player in La Liga this season, with 13.
IAGO ASPAS (Celta Vigo)
Iago Aspas is the leading Spanish scorer in La Liga this season, with 18 goals for Celta Vigo in the Primera Division. The former Liverpool forward has two games left to try to make it to 20 as he is in action against Real Madrid on Wednesday and then at home to Real Sociedad on Sunday. The 29-year-old has three assists in the league this term as well and was a big part of Celta’s run to the semi-finals of the Europa League.
