La Liga Week 36 Standings & Table: Barcelona Extends First Place Lead Thanks to Real Madrid's Tie

By Damon Salvadore First Posted: May 11, 2015 11:15 AM EDT

Just two weeks in the 2014-15 La Liga season remain. That is, of course if the Spanish Football Federation can reach a deal with the government on television rights. Regardless of what takes place before Saturday, Barcelona and Real Madrid are the two teams once again fighting for first place.

Barcelona earned a tremendous victory over Real Sociedad at home. Barcelona defeated Real Sociedad 2-0, with Neymar and Pedro each scoring a goal. With that victory, Barcelona now has a 29-3-4 record, giving them 90 points. Barcelona has been in first place since Week 26, and they could very well be looking at a 23rd Spanish League Championship.

Lionel Messi was held scoreless this week, but he is still the team's leading scorer with 40 goals this season as well as 18 assists. Messi and Barcelona won't have a short time to rest. They will have to take on Bayern Munich in the semifinals of the Champions League. Barcelona won the first leg, 3-0.

For Real Madrid, Valencia once again set them back. The two teams tied, giving Real Madrid just one point, and they are now four points back in the standings for first place. Valencia defeated Real Madrid in Week 17. Goalkeeper Diego Alves held Real Madrid's big three of Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema scoreless.

With 86 points and just two games remaining, it won't be easy for Real Madrid. They will not only have to win, but they will also need Barcelona to lose both of their remaining games. Ronaldo has a league-leading 42 goals, but it doesn't look like he'll be catching Messi's 50 goal record this year.

If an agreement can be reached, Real Madrid will face Espanyol and Getafe in their final two games. Barcelona is scheduled to face Atletico Madrid and Deportivo. Just like Barcelona, Real Madrid is also competing in the ongoing Champions League tournament. Unfortunately for them, they lost the first leg against Juventus.

In all likelihood, Barcelona will hold on and win it all. The odds of them losing the final two games, and Real Madrid winning both of their games would just be incredible. Messi has won six career La Liga titles dating back to the 2004-05 season, all of which have been won with Barcelona. In case you were wondering, Francisco Gento has the most La Liga champions of all-time, 12.