La Liga Title Race 2012-13: Can Real Madrid Still Catch FC Barcelona?

For the last eight weeks, Real Madrid kept pace with FC Barcelona and Atletico Madrid in the race for the Spanish League title.

Jose Mourinho's side had gone undefeated in eight matches, including seven wins, after a dreadful start of one win, one draw, and two losses to the 2012-13 season. Meanwhile, hated rivals FC Barcelona got off to a tremendous start of 12 wins, no losses, and one draw for a total of 37 of a possible 39 points.

Since their 2-2 draw back on October 7, Madrid has maintained a steady eight point difference between themselves and Barca, but that gap grew to 11 after they lost to Real Betis and Barca won 4-0 over Levante.

This all begs the following major question: Is the Spanish League title over? Does Real Madrid have a chance to catch their hated foes?

Last year Madrid won the title by nine points, but the battle raged on all season until the bitter end. Madrid's win last year came after three straight years of Barcelona dominance. Many attributed the Real Madrid championship not so much to team superiority, but to Barcelona injuries that drastically altered their makeup. Such key players as David Villa and Carlos Puyol were out during the major stretches and while Barca only lost two matches, they drew seven.

Real Madrid only lost two matches last season with a team that is not all that different from the 2012-13 version. This team has already lost three matches and tied two (they only drew four times in 38 matches last season). With the 11 point gap, Madrid must essentially win every match remaining in order to maintain the current pace. However, their being able to win the league depends on something completely out of their control (save for one remaining match): Barcelona losses and draws.

If Madrid won every game remaining on their schedule (including two against Atletico Madrid and one against Barcelona) then Barcelona would have to lose at least four matches or a combination of twelve points in order for Madrid to win by one point against them. However, it is unlikely that Madrid wins every one of the remaining 25 matches this season, so Barcelona would need to lose more than that.

Barcelona will lose and draw this season, but at their current pace of 12 wins in 13 matches they seem destined to win 35 matches. In the last three years, Barcelona has never won that many games, but they have never lost more than five matches in a single season. This is their best start ever despite not always playing great soccer. Even when they lost defensive cornerstones Pique and Puyol, this team managed to continue its torrid winning streak through the Spanish League. With the entire team back in form and the upcoming January transfer window beckoning, this team will only get better.

But the plot thickens for Madrid as Barcelona is not their only problem. They currently sit eight points behind Atletico Madrid. Led by Colombian Radamel Falcao, Atletico has compiled a stunning record of 11 wins, one draw, and one loss and they look better than ever. They could compile some losses, but they will need to lose far more matches in order for Real to pass them in the standings.

Is the race over? With only one third of the season complete it is too hard to tell. However, it is clear that Real Madrid's window is closing quickly.