Real Madrid top La Liga ahead of Barcelona - but how close is the title race?

By Adam Smith

Monday 6 March 2017 12:06, UK

The top four clubs in La Liga all play live on Sky midweek - but how close is the title race?

Real Madrid smashed the Spanish record in January after going 40 games unbeaten in all competitions and are currently top of La Liga.

With the exception of three back-to-back draws starting in late September, Zinedine Zidane's men have hogged the La Liga summit this season.

But Real's unbeaten record ended with a 2-1 defeat to Sevilla in January, followed by an early exit from the Copa del Rey at the hands of Celta Vigo.

Los Blancos also suffered a 2-1 defeat at Valencia last month and are now only one point ahead of Barcelona in La Liga with one game in hand.

BARCELONA

Meanwhile, Barcelona are hunting their third successive league title but have struggled to find their form of previous seasons this time around.

Having started the season in typical style, thrashing Real Betis 6-2, the Catalans dropped three points against Alaves in September before drawing 1-1 with Atletico Madrid later that month, followed by a surprise 2-1 defeat to Celta Vigo in October.

In November, Luis Enrique's men lost 3-1 to Manchester City, managed by former boss Pep Guardiola, in the Champions League and have drawn five league games since.

Barca also suffered a humiliating 4-0 thrashing at Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League last month.

SEVILLA

Sevilla are this season's surprise title contenders, having only suffered four league defeats this term against Granada, Athletic Bilbao, Barcelona and Espanyol.

Jorge Sampaoli's side have won three successive Europa League trophies, having defeated Liverpool in the final last year, and are looking to be crowned league champions for the first time since 1945/46.

ATLETICO MADRID

Like Barcelona, Spain's third powerhouse club Atletico have also been misfiring and currently sit fourth in the league - seven points shy of Sevilla.

Atletico kicked off their league campaign with back-to-back draws against Alaves and Leganes - a glimpse of what was to come.

Having drawn 1-1 with Barcelona in September, Diego Simeone's men suffered defeats to Sevilla, Real Sociedad, Real Madrid, Villarreal and drew 0-0 with Espanyol before the festive break.

Since then, Atletico have drawn against Athletic Bilbao and Alaves and were beaten 2-1 by Barcelona at the Vicente Calderón on Sunday.

But how do the four La Liga contenders differ on the pitch? We have looked at the stats to compare each teams strengths and weaknesses...

ATTACK

The usual suspects top the goal-scoring chart, with Barca's Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez netting 20 and 18, respectively - although Neymar has only scored six.

Real's FIFA The Best winner Cristiano Ronaldo leads the chart for Real with 16 goals, followed by Alvaro Morata on eight and Gareth Bale on seven - despite the Welshman missing eight league games with an ankle injury.

Atletico's most prolific forwards have been Antoine Griezmann and Kevin Gameiro on eight goals each - with the former reportedly linked with a move to Manchester United.

Sevilla's top scorer is summer signing Wissam Ben Yedder on eight goals, hitting a hat-trick against David Moyes' former club Real Sociedad earlier this month.

Barcelona have scored 65 league goals so far - more than Real (60), Sevilla (48) and Atletico (44).

Beside goals, the stats reveal Real domination across the front-line, leading their rivals for aerial threat with the most crosses and headed goals, as well as taking more shots, shots on target and winning more penalties.

DEFENCE

Atletico have struggled in front of goal but Diego Simeone's team have have once again proved their defensive resolve by conceding fewer goals and winning more duels, tackles, interceptions and aerials than the other three clubs.

Sevilla's lofty mid-season league position has been boosted by 'keeper Sergio Rico, who has made more saves than his rival stoppers. The team from Andalusia have also been reprimanded by referees more than the other three clubs.

Barcelona have been the most error-prone of the leading pack, leaking five goals from mistakes at the back while Real and Sevilla have only conceded two.

POSSESSION AND PASSING

Unsurprisingly, Barcelona have dominated possession again this season, averaging at 66.16 per cent, followed by Sevilla (59.26), Real Madrid (57.00) and Atletico (49.85).

Despite recording an average possession that rivals Barcelona, Sevilla are in fact the only club out of the four rivals to make almost as many passes in their own half as in the opposition's half - which suggests a deeper style of possession football than the Catalans.

You can watch all of the current top four La Liga clubs live on Sky mid-week. On Wednesday, watch Barcelona v Sporting Gijon from 6pm and Real Madrid v Las Palmas from 8.25pm live on Sky Sports 2.

On Thursday, watch Deportivo v Atletico Madrid from 7.40pm (Red Button) and Sevilla v Athletic Bilbao from 8.25pm live on Sky Sports 5.