Barcelona and Real Madrid might have had one eye on their respective Champions League ties in mid-week against German opposition but it didn't prevent them defeating Levante and Real Betis, while Atletico Madrid are four points away from confirming a return to Europe's premier club competition after Radamel Falcao downed Sevilla.

Falcao scored the winner at Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán, to extend Atletico's lead over fourth-place Real Sociedad to 13 points.

Radamel Falcao
Radamel Falcao scores for the 29th time this season.

But the weekend was a different story for Malaga who slipped off the pace in pursuit of the top four following an emphatic 5-1 thrashing by Valencia.

Roberto Soldado scored twice in two minutes, once from the penalty spot, with Sergio Canales, Ever Banega and Dani Parejo adding putting the gloss on the scoreline.

It capped off a tough week for Valencia, with president Manuel Llorente and Federico Varona, president of the Valencia Foundation which part owns the club, both having resigning.

But on the pitch their response was nothing short of brilliant and leaves Malaga in a particularly precarious position, now three points adrift of fifth place Valencia and five behind Real Sociedad.

Philippe Montanier 's side missed the chance to cement their Champions League qualification place Sociedad, after drawing 0-0 with struggling Osusuna. Sociedad have the chance to makes amends however, when they face Valencia on Friday night in a potential shoot-out for that fourth spot.

Meanwhile, champions elect Barcelona left it late to overcome Levante, with Cesc Fabregas striking in the 84th minute to gift the Catalan giants victory. A win next weekend at Athletic Bilbao coupled with Real dropping points in the Madrid derby will deliver a 22<sup>nd La Liga title.

Jose Mourinho's side looked more convincing in the league as they prepare to take on Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League semi-final this week, defeating Real Betis 3-1. Mesut Ozil found his scoring boots for Madrid with a brace, sealing the win after Karim Benzema had doubled the advantage before Jorge Molina pulled one back for Betis in the 73rd minute.

At the other end of the table, the battle remains tight after a series of draws for the sides in contention for relegation. Granada are only a point clear of the drop after a 1-1 draw with Valladolid, but a Real Zaragoza win against bottom side Celta de Vigo on Monday will see the side fall into the dreaded relegation zone.

Athletic Bilbao's 1-1 draw with Deportivo did little to ease either side's relegation fears, while Mallorca are stuck in 18th after finishing 1-1 against Rayo Vallecano.