MADRID, Spain (AP) - Real Madrid will clinch a record 31st Spanish league title if results go its way this weekend. The defending champion needs to beat Athletic Bilbao at the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday, while its closest pursuers - Villarreal and FC Barcelona - must fail to win their matches.
Villarreal visits 11th-place Real Betis on Sunday, while Barcelona plays at eighth-place Deportivo La Coruna on Saturday.
With five games remaining, Madrid has 72 points, Villarreal 62 and Barcelona 61.
Madrid president Ramon Calderon urged caution until the title is mathematically assured.
"We need to stay concentrated and give our all. Bilbao will do us no favors on Sunday," Calderon said. "Until we cross the finishing line we can't say that our aim has been achieved."
However, the club has already made plans with Madrid's city hall for celebrating immediately after Sunday's game, with captain Raul Gonzalez set to tie the club's scarf around the downtown statue of the goddess Cybele, the traditional scene of Madrid's triumphs.
Villarreal defender Javi Venta acknowledged Madrid is "99 percent certain" to win the title, although he is annoyed at what he views as the team's premature celebrations.
"Until everything is finalized, they shouldn't celebrate," Venta said, referring to the jubilant Madrid players when the final whistle blew on last weekend's 2-0 win at Racing Santander. "Last season, they celebrated the league in another stadium (Zaragoza) when it wasn't over and these things, in my view, should never happen."
Bilbao, which thrashed Valencia 5-1 last weekend to rise to 10th, still has a slim chance of a place in next season's UEFA Cup and does not intend to lie down on Sunday.
"Let no one think we are going there as guests at a party. We want to keep winning and we'll be going for Madrid from the very first minute," Bilbao captain Joseba Etxeberria said.
The Basque team welcomes midfielder Carlos Gurpegi back after completing his two-year suspension for testing positive for the banned steroid nandrolone.
Bilbao coach Joaquin Caparros has praised Gurpegi, who has always claimed he's innocent, for being in better shape than two years ago.
Villarreal's most realistic aim is to finish runner-up, which would be the best placing in the club's history.
However, it will be unsure what to expect from Betis, which has mixed two losses with a win against Barcelona in its past three home games. Villarreal has yet to draw on the road this season.
Barcelona will need an improvement against Deportivo to prolong the title race.
The Catalan team, which is seeking to avoid a second straight year without a title, has drawn two and lost two of its past four league matches on the road.
It will also have to avoid the distractions of Tuesday's Champions League semifinal return leg against Manchester United at Old Trafford. The teams drew Wednesday's first leg 0-0.
Barcelona will again lack the injured Ronaldinho, who is sidelined for the rest of the season. The Brazil playmaker may have played his last game for Barcelona, as he appears to be eyeing a move to another club.
Deportivo has mounted an impressive run to climb from the lower reaches of the standings, accruing 22 points from a possible 27.
Valencia faces fellow struggler Osasuna on Sunday in its first match under caretaker coach Salvador "Voro" Gonzalez, who took charge following Monday's sacking of Ronald Koeman.
Voro, a former Valencia defender, badly needs a flying start as his team - which won just four of its 22 games under Koeman - is in danger of relegation.
One of Voro's first measures was to recall midfielders David Albelda and Miguel Angel Angulo together with veteran goalkeeper Santiago Canizares. The trio of Spain internationals were axed by Koeman in December and haven't played for the club since.
Last-place Levante's match at 18th-place Recreativo Huelva on Sunday is in doubt as the visitors have threatened to hold a weekend strike over unpaid wages reportedly amounting to €18 million (US$28.3 million).
"We are the ones who are most keen to call off the strike but we need something concrete," Levante captain Inaki Descarga said.
If the game goes ahead, Levante will have to avoid defeat or it will be relegated.
Other games this weekend are: Murcia vs. Sevilla; Mallorca vs. Santander; Valladolid vs. Almeria; Getafe vs. Atletico Madrid; Espanyol vs. Zaragoza
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