Real Madrid may believe that momentum in La Liga is swinging in its favor, but if you have a look at the remaining fixtures for both Barcelona and Sevilla, first and second in the standings, respectively, Real has by far the hardest schedule. Team captain Guti, acknowledging this, said Barcelona is the definite favorite to win La Liga. “They are at the top of the league and have an easier schedule, so they have fewer chances to fail,” he said, adding that from here on in, “the most consistent team will win the title.” That’s something none of the teams in La Liga have shown all season. “It surprises me that there hasn’t been a consistent team in the championship,” said Guti. “If there had been, the league would have already been decided.”
Real faces a stern away test this weekend in the form of Racing Santander, a team that held second-place Sevilla scoreless at home last Sunday. There’s no question this weekend’s match is a must-win for Real Madrid, as there’s a chance the top two will drop points again. Barcelona is home to middling Real Mallorca, but will likely be without key players Deco, Ronaldinho and Samuel Eto’o, while Sevilla is faced with an even tougher test, away to fifth-place Valencia.