La Liga is red-hot: what each team has at stake in the final three matchdays

With three matches remaining, La Liga remains red-hot. Barcelona's decisive performance this Sunday in the Clásico against Real Madrid has clarified the Blaugrana's chances of winning the title, but they still need to confirm their chances. The same is true in the fight for European spots and the chance to escape relegation, where only Valladolid has secured its return to the Second Division. The penultimate matchday, played midweek, should serve to further clarify the unknowns... or tighten things up even further. Here's how each of the 20 teams' chances stand. What's at stake and who they're playing against:

The title is practically theirs, with a seven-point lead over Real Madrid with nine left to play. They could be crowned champions on Thursday if they win the derby against Espanyol and Madrid doesn't do the same on Wednesday against Mallorca. If not, they have two other options. The most likely is to claim the title at Montjuic against Villarreal.

J 36: Espanyol (f)

J 37: Villarreal (c)

J 38: Athletic (f)

They can consider their domestic season over, although if they fall into a debacle, they could lose second place to Atlético Madrid. Individual trophies, Mbappé's Pichichi and Courtois' Zamora, are the only things that could motivate them.

J 36: Mallorca (c)

J 37: Seville (f)

J 38: Real Sociedad (c)

They're a bit like their neighbors. They have third place pretty much secured, just three points behind, and the runner-up spot is far enough away that they shouldn't make any more effort. Oblak leads Zamora, and that's a reason to try to keep a clean sheet in the remainder of the season.

J 36: Osasuna (f)

J 37: Betis (c)

J 38: Girona (f)

They only need three points to guarantee the Champions League title, and another three to secure fourth place. And that's assuming Villarreal and Betis win it all. The Basque team has everything going for them to return to the top continental competition. In any case, they've also secured the Europa League.

J 36: Getafe (f)

J 37: Valencia (f)

J 38: Barcelona (c)

Fifth place, which this year grants access to the Champions League, looked very much in their favor after Betis's draw with Osasuna. But they still have to seal that spot. They still have to play against Barça at Montjuic and host two rivals fighting for survival: Leganés and Sevilla.

J 36: Leganés (c)

J 37: Barcelona (f)

J 38: Seville (c)

The wear and tear of the Conference took its toll on the League, so their chances of reaching the Champions League have diminished considerably. They have, however, secured the Europa League, and even sixth place.

J 36: Lightning (f)

J 37: Atlético de Madrid (f)

J 38: Valencia (c)

Their extraordinary end to the season puts them one step away from Europe with three games remaining. For now, their place is in the Europa League, but they'll have to push hard to avoid dropping into the Conference. Real Sociedad, with a chance, Rayo Vallecano, their direct rival, and Getafe are their opponents.

J 36: Real Sociedad (f)

J 37: Lightning (c)

J 38: Getafe (f)

The victory over Las Palmas has given Rayo Vallecano a boost, and they now have more points than ever before in their history. Just two points behind Celta Vigo and tied with Mallorca, their opponents in the last two matchdays, the red-and-white team has as much chance of playing in the Europa League or the Conference as of missing out on continental competitions.

J 36: Betis (c)

J 37: Celta (f)

J 38: Mallorca (c)

Another team whose season will be decided by what happens in these three rounds of matches, in which they will face three Madrid teams. The Vermillion team has a 37% chance of reaching a European spot. Of those with the best chances, they have the worst chance.

J 36: Real Madrid (f)

J 37: Getafe (c)

J 38: Lightning (f)

The Valencian side are happy with their season after escaping the clutches of the Second Division when they were at their worst. Corberán's team has a slim chance of playing in the Conference, which is two points away. The clashes between the teams aren't doing them any favors.

J 36: Alavés (f)

J 37: Athletic (c)

J 38: Betis (f)

Like Valencia, they have a minimal chance of winning the continental championship, depending on the failure of others and a flawless end to the league season on their part.

J 36: Atlético de Madrid (c)

J 37: Espanyol (c)

J 38: Alavés (f)

The thrashing at the Metropolitano left them in no man's land, already thinking about their new project. They will close out the La Liga season against Real Madrid.

J 36: Celta (c)

J 37: Girona (c)

J 38: Real Madrid (f)

It's the first team that has yet to seal its survival, although it's practically done.

J 36: Athletic (c)

J 37: Mallorca (f)

J 38: Celta (c)

They're just like Getafe. Only a debacle would take them to the Second Division. They have no chance at the top.

J 36: Barcelona (c)

J 37: Osasuna (f)

J 38: Las Palmas (c)

Last season's revelation has yet to seal a place in the league and remains in trouble. A win against Valladolid in Zorrilla this week would be decisive, though.

J 36: Valladolid (f)

J 37: Real Sociedad (f)

J 38: Atlético de Madrid (c)

Serious problems for the Nervión club, which is in a negative trend and has a tough schedule. They will host Las Palmas, the Canary Islands' last option, and Real Madrid before traveling to Villarreal for the league finale.

J 36: Las Palmas (c)

J 37: Real Madrid (c)

J 38: Villarreal (f)

They're just one point away from relegation. In theory, they have the most favorable schedule, with a chance to play Valladolid and host Valencia and Osasuna, who shouldn't have anything to play for.

J 36: Valencia (c)

J 37: Valladolid (f)

J 38: Osasuna (c)

They will travel to Villarreal during the week before heading to Las Palmas in a match that, if the Canary Islands aren't already relegated, could be decisive. Valladolid at Butarque will be their last stop.

J 36: Villarreal (f)

J 37: Las Palmas (f)

J 38: Valladolid (c)

They lost at home to Rayo Vallecano and have little chance. Everything depends on beating their three remaining opponents and waiting.

J 36: Seville (f)

J 37: Leganés (c)

J 38: Espanyol (f)

No one has found the La Liga season as drawn out as Valladolid, who were relegated weeks ago after a terrible season. They'll try to give the Zorrilla fans one last bit of joy against Girona or Alavés.

J 36: Girona (c)

J 37: Alavés (c)

J 38: Leganés (f)