La Liga Preview: Champions League Hangovers Will Test the Big Three's Title Ambitions

Atletico Madrid, Barcelona and Real Madrid each have seven games of the season remaining in what will be the most compelling conclusion to a Spanish title race in some time. With no margin for error at this stage, defeat for either side this weekend will be decisive in determining who is crowned champions in May.

This weekend could prove to be particularly crucial in determining who is crowned La Liga champions with a potential European hangover awaiting each side after all featured in Champions League quarter-finals mid-week.

Motivated by their last two victories over Rayo Vallecano and Borussia Dortmund, Real Madridface sixth-place Real Sociedad in Anoeta. Despite the Basque side's poor form of late, Real are in for a demanding test, more so than those awaiting Atletico and Barcelona.

Cristiano Ronaldo will not travel to San Sebastian after Los Blancos boss Carlo Ancelotti promised he would rest Portuguese if he does not recover from a knock to his left knee having gone off injured in the dying stages of his side's first leg Champions League quarter-final victory over Dortmund.

In Ronaldo's absence, Ancelotti is likely to ask Gareth Bale to move to the left. Elsewhere Angel Di Maria is a serious doubt with the Argentine suffering from gastroenteritis. His place in the starting line up is likely to be filled by Isco, who was on the score sheet in the 3-0 win over Jurgen Klopp's side.

Real have not lost in San Sebastian since 2004, but were held to a 3-3 draw there last season having thrashed Sociedad 5-1 at the Bernabeu. Their biggest threat of dropping points comes from Real Sociedad's attack, led by Antoine Griezmann and Carlos Vela who have scored 27 goals between them this campaign. The Basque's excellent home record of just two defeats from 15 presents another problem for Real.

There is simply no margin for error for the side who sit third in the three-way battle for the title, three points behind leaders Atletico Madrid and two adrift of Barcelona.

Atletico and Barcelona​​ stand in each other's way on two fronts with their Champions League quarter final at a stalemate at the half way stage. But their focus is momentarily back on the league with both sides in a position where dropping points is not an option, with a potential title decider between the two awaiting on the final day of the season at the Camp Nou.

Barca host bottom club Real Betis on Saturday in perhaps the most straight forward fixture of the weekend. The Andalusian side have only claimed five league wins all season and are eight points adrift of safety ahead of their daunting trip to the Camp Nou.

It may seem the easiest match of the three but Barcelona will be wary of a side looing to do everything possible to keep their hopes of remaining in Spain's top flight alive while they still can.

In team news, Adriano will likely come in for Jordi Alba who is suspended after picking up one too many yellow cards. Gerard Pique has been ruled out for at least three weeks with a back injury he suffered on Tuesday night against Atletico – Marc Bartra could take his place.

Atletico Madrid, who have won their last five league games, face seventh-place Villarreal at the Vicente Calderon without striker Diego Costa and midfielder Arda Turan, who both picked up injuries against Barcelona. Both will be rested ahead of the return leg against their closest league rivals. Diego Simeone is unlikely to risk resting anymore key players.

Villarreal, who occupy the last Europa League qualifying place, will be hoping for a repeat performance from the reverse fixture earlier in the season when they held Simeone's side to a 1-1 draw at home.