Madrid may win La Liga on Saturday but will postpone celebration

For Real Madrid, winning its 36th La Liga title is now a matter of when not if.

Los Blancos enter the weekend holding an 11-point lead over second-place Barcelona with just five league matches remaining.

Carlo Ancelotti’s side hosts Cádiz on Saturday, and the coach will have to be mindful of squad rotation with a Champions League semifinal second leg coming up on Wednesday against Bayern Munich.

With the right set of results on Saturday, Madrid could enter the Bayern tie with La Liga already wrapped up.

Real Madrid will win La Liga if it defeats Cádiz and Barcelona loses or draws against Girona. Madrid will also win the league if it draws Cádiz and Barcelona loses against Girona.

Victory against Cádiz appears to be a likely proposition for Madrid, as the visitors enter Saturday’s game in 18th place out of 20 teams in La Liga.

Madrid faces Cádiz in the afternoon on Saturday, with Barcelona traveling to Girona in the evening.

 That means if Madrid is to clinch the title on Saturday, it will do so while watching its biggest rival on TV.

Should Madrid win La Liga this season, it would reclaim the title that Barça won last season. It would be the second title in three seasons for Los Blancos and the third out of five.

Meanwhile, with Cadiz ahead of a UEFA Champions League semifinal second leg against Bayern Munich Carlo Ancelotti’s focus is on the return game on May 8.

However, if Madrid wins and Barcelona loses or draws Ancelotti has told his squad there will be no celebration until after the Bayern game.

If the title is confirmed this weekend, a traditional planned party at the iconic Plaza de Cibeles could be held on May 10, with a possible Champions League final not until June 1.