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BARCELONA. — Barcelona could already be crowned the Spanish La Liga football champions by the time that they take to the field for tonight’s clash with Levante at Camp Nou. Indeed, Ernesto Valverde’s side currently sit nine points clear of second-placed Atletico Madrid with four games left. As a result, should Atletico lose against Real Valladolid this afternoon then Barca would win the title before kick-off in Catalonia.

Barca have been, by some distance, the best side in La Liga this season. The table rarely paints a false picture and the fact that the Catalan giants are so comfortable at the summit is testament to the work that Valverde has done.

A record of 24 wins, eight draws and two defeats has brought 80 points, leaving them nine points clear of second-placed Atletico with four games left. Even if Atletico manage to beat Valladolid this afternoon then a win against Levante would see Barca land the Spanish title for a 26th time.

Valverde’s side drew 0-0 at Huesca in the league just before the second leg of their Champions League semi-final with Manchester United but have beaten Real Sociedad and Alaves in their last two. In terms of what is ahead, Barca have Celta Vigo, Getafe and Eibar in La Liga and then potentially another four matches.

Three games are guaranteed as they face Liverpool over two legs of a Champions League semi-final, in addition to Valencia in the final of the Copa del Rey at the end of May. It could be a famous season for Barca as they chase a treble and there is absolutely no question that they are good enough to land all three.

It will certainly be very interesting to see how Valverde approaches this game when considering that Liverpool will visit Camp Nou for the first leg of their Champions League semi-final on Wednesday night.

The fact that Barca are so comfortable in the league and Liverpool are not must hand the Spanish side an advantage heading into the first leg, where they will be looking to secure an advantage ahead of the return match at Anfield on May 7.

It goes without saying that Barca’s squad is packed full of talent, but they would not be in a position to win a treble without Lionel Messi, who has scored 45 times in all competitions for the club this season. It has not been the Argentine’s best ever campaign in terms of goals, but he has been absolutely outstanding once again.

Barca will be crowned La Liga champions for the 2018-19 campaign regardless of whether it happens this weekend, but it would certainly be special to secure the trophy in front of their own fans ahead of the first leg of their Champions League semi-final.

Spanish La Liga Fixtures
Today: Athletic Club v Deportivo Alavés (1pm); Atlético Madrid v Real Valladolid (4:15pm); Leganés v Celta de Vigo (6:30pm); Barcelona v Levante (8:45pm).
Tomorrow: Valencia v Eibar (12noon); Girona v Sevilla (2pm); Real Sociedad v Getafe (4:15pm); Villarreal v Huesca (6:30pm); Rayo Vallecano v Real Madrid (8:45pm).
Monday: Real Betis v Espanyol (9pm). — AFP.