Barcelona close gap in La Liga after Real Madrid are held again

Barcelona have been cut to 2/1 to win La Liga following Real Madrid’s second draw in four days.

La Liga leaders Real looked to have bagged all three points against a struggling Villarreal side before Marcos Senna’s late strike cancelled out Cristiano Ronaldo’s brilliant goal.

The problems for Real didn’t end there though, with coach Jose Mourinho, Sergio Ramos and Mesut Ozil all sent off in the following minutes to leave the title favourites with just nine players on the pitch at the final whistle.

The result, which comes just days after Real were held at home by Malaga, has seen the gap between them and Barca close to six points from an unassailable looking ten.

Real are still the 4/11 favourites to win their first La Liga title since 2008 but, with Barca enjoying a brilliant run of form, Pep Guardiola’s men shouldn’t be discounted as we enter the final few months of the season.

Barca have won all of their previous eight games in all competitions and were ruthless in front of goal in their last La Liga game, smashing five past Granada. Three of those goals game from the left foot of Lionel Messi who became Barcelona’s all-time leading scorer in the rout.

However, Barca did concede three goals in that encounter and their – at times – dismal defending will undoubtedly give hope to Real Madrid that they can fend off their bitter rivals.

The way it’s going at the moment though it looks as though the clash between the sides at the end of next month will determine where the title will go and, with the momentum with Barca, the 2/1 offered for them to win La Liga could be a punt well worth considering – especially as they have already beaten Real once this season and it’s head-to-head record rather than goal difference that is used to separate teams in Spain.