valencia-soccer news

Valencia loss seals title for Barcelona

Barcelona could earn its 18th La Liga title Wednesday if Valencia  fails to lose its match when the Spanish league returns to the field for a full slate of mid-week fixtures.

With the season winding down, Barcelona continues to hang onto the league's first place spot with 76 points through 34 matches.

The club holds an eight point lead over second place Valencia, and looks to be on its way to a second consecutive league title.

Barcelona travels to Vigo to face fifth place Celta, where a win would guarantee the league title. Barcelona will also benefit from a Valencia loss. The second place club is on the road to face Mallorca in a match with a kickoff one hour earlier than the start of the Barcelona match.

Barcelona head coach Frank Rijkaard is expected to rest some of his starting lineup. However, Samuel Eto'o is expected to make an appearance in the Wednesday match.

Overall, Celta holds the advantage in the series, with five wins compared to Barcelona's two.

The rest of the league also is scheduled to play Wednesday and Thursday as well.