The 2022/2023 La Liga season will come to a close on Sunday with just a single European spot, one relegation escape, and pride left to play for when games happen on Sunday, June 4.

Barcelona overcame financial troubles, a poor European season, and their nearest challenger, Real Madrid, to win their first La Liga title since the 2018/2019 season and their 27th overall; they have nothing but pride to fight for when they travel to Celta Vigo who are at the risk of relegation especially if they get beat, and Valladolid wins.

It’s not that straightforward, though, as Almeria is also on 40 points and at risk of relegation, too, if Celta Vigo and Valladolid better Celta Vigo’s result. Celta has been in the top flight since 2012 when they got promoted.

Elche and Espanyol have long since confirmed a drop into the Segunda Division, with the latter sealing their dreaded fate last weekend. Both face Cadiz and Almeria in their last games in the top flight.

At the other end, Real Sociedad took advantage of Villarreal’s loss last weekend to book a return to the UEFA Champions League since 2014; they joined the two Madrid clubs Real and Atletico, who follow the Champions Barcelona into next season’s competition.

Sevilla’s penalty shootout win over Roma in the Europa League final at the Puskás Aréna in Budapest on Wednesday saw them take the backdoor into Europe’s top flight.

Villarreal may have missed the UEFA Champions League, but they sealed Europa League along with Real Betis. The other games that will be highly competed will involve Osasuna v Girona and Athletic Club’s visit to Real Madrid, as both Osasuna and Athletic Club aim for the Europa Conference League spot on 50 points each going into the final day of the season.

Barcelona’s Robert Lewandowski may add to his tally of 23 goals, or not, but as long as Benzema has five on the season’s final day, the Polish striker will win the golden boot in what has been Barcelona’s season, at least in La Liga.

Daniel Ademiju Idowu