Real Madrid may not even need a win at Osasuna to clinch record 31st title

The Associated Press ,  Madrid   |  Thu, 05/01/2008 10:35 PM  |  Sports

Real Madrid may not even need a victory at Osasuna on Sunday to win a record 31st Spanish league title.

If Villarreal lose or draw at Getafe earlier in the day, coach Bernd Schuster's team will win the trophy a season after now-England coach Fabio Capello rallied Madrid to the title to snap a four-year drought.

Madrid striker Ruud van Nistelrooy is likely to play for the first time since undergoing surgery on his right ankle more than six weeks ago.

Madrid, which will clinch the title with a victory if Villarreal wins, could rest midfielder Jose Maria "Guti" Gutierrez for the "classico" against FC Barcelona three days later.

Several Madrid players hinted that securing the trophy against its Catalan rival would have brought extra satisfaction but they would still rather not wait.

"We are all incredibly anxious to win the title," striker Javier Saviola said. "We want to take it once and for all. We will have to fight hard with Osasuna if we want to win the title against its Catalan rival would have brought extra satisfaction but they would still rather not wait.

"We are all incredibly anxious to win the title," striker Javier Saviola said. "We want to take it once and for all. We will have to fight hard with Osasuna if we want to win the title against
them because much is at stake for them."

Osasuna, which has lost three of its past four games, is two points above Zaragoza in the race to avoid the final drop spot. Recreativo Huelva is also tied with Osasuna with 40 points.

Madrid leads with 75 points and three rounds of matches remaining.

Villarreal can further cement second place and an automatic spot in the Champions League next season with a victory. It has 65 points to Barcelona's 61. (***)

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