Victor Valdes does not care how Barcelona retain the league title and would be happy to win it without kicking a ball tomorrow night. Barça go to Levante on Wednesday with an eight-point lead and a better head-to-head record than second-placed Real Madrid with just three games to go.

It is inevitable the title will eventually end up in Catalonia for the third year on the trot but Barcelona could be celebrating 24 hours before taking the field at the Estadio Ciutat de Valencia should Madrid drop points at home to Getafe tomorrow.

Such a prospect would have seemed unthinkable six weeks ago but Jose Mourinho's men have slipped up against Sporting Gijon and Real Zaragoza at the Bernabeu recently and appear to have lost their aura of invincibility in the capital.

Many players would rather win a trophy on the back of a win but Barça goalkeeper Valdes is not bothered how they get over the line. He said: "I don't care how we win the league, the sooner the better.

"A title is a title. Everything that has happened this year, during which we have had a very intense schedule which has favoured others, will give more value to this title."

Madrid's clash with Getafe is the standout fixture at the top of the table tomorrow night but there are also some key fixtures at the other end. Deportivo La Coruna slipped into the relegation zone at the weekend and are in desperate need of points as they host Athletic Bilbao.


I don't care how we win the league, the sooner the better. A title is a title.
Victor Valdes, Barcelona goalkeeper


As striker Adrian stressed today, the Athletic game is one "they must win". Depor are level on points with fourth-bottom Zaragoza but reside in the drop zone courtesy of an inferior head-to-head record.

Also tomorrow, Racing Santander, whose weekend win at Hercules should guarantee their survival, host an Atletico Madrid side fighting for a place in the Europa League while mid-table outfits Malaga and Sporting Gijon meet in Andalusia.

On Wednesday, Hercules need to beat Mallorca to stand any realistic chance of escaping the drop. The Alicante side are six points from safety but must fancy their chances against a Mallorca side who have lost 11 of 17 away games this season.

Real Sociedad and Real Zaragoza meet in a pivotal clash at the Anoeta. Zaragoza crumbled to a 3-1 defeat at home to Osasuna yesterday and will be looking for an immediate response.

Javier Aguirre's men will be in the relegation zone by kick-off if Deportivo get a result against Athletic and they will not find it easy against a Sociedad side just two points and two places better off.

Elsewhere, already relegated Almeria host fourth-placed Villarreal while Valencia in third go to Espanyol and Osasuna meet Sevilla.