The race for the 2014-15 La Liga title has developed firmly into a two-horse race, with leaders Barcelona and second-placed Real Madrid pulling clear of the chasing pack with 11 games of the season remaining.
Victories for Barcelona and Real Madrid at the weekend meansthat there is now just one point separating the top two ahead of El Clasico at Camp Nou on Sunday, but reigning champions Atletico Madrid have dropped nine points off the pace and indeed relinquished third spot in the table to in-form Valencia.
Week 27's action opened from the Mestalla on Friday evening as Valencia moved into third with a comfortable 2-0 victory over struggling Deportivo La Coruna, who remain just outside of the relegation zone in 17th position.
Atletico missed the chance to return to third as they drew 0-0 at Espanyol in Saturday's early start, before Barcelona extended their lead at the summit to four points with a routine 2-0 win at struggling Eibar.
Granada's woes continued as they lost 3-1 at Rayo Vallecano in Saturday's penultimate match, before Athletic Bilbao won 2-1 at Celta Vigo to continue their strong run.
Villarreal's top-four hopes took a blow on Sunday as they could only draw 0-0 at Almeria, before Malaga returned to winning ways with a 2-0 victory over Cordoba, who sacked their manager Miroslav Djukic following the defeat, which was their eighth in a row in the league.
Sevilla kept their top-four hopes alive and kicking with a 3-0 victory over Elche, however, before Real Madrid cut the gap on leaders Barcelona to one point with a 2-0 victory over Levante, who remain just inside the relegation zone.
Week 27's action concluded from the Spanish capital on Monday as Real Sociedad recorded their first away league victory of the season with a 1-0 win at Getafe.
Here, Sports Mole picks out its 11 star performers following another enthralling weekend of La Liga football.
Geronimo Rulli (Real Sociedad)
Sociedad recorded their first league away victory of the season at Getafe on Monday and they had their goalkeeper to thank for a large part of that. The 22-year-old made three stunning saves in the first period, while he was also up to the task late on when Getafe increased the pressure.
Michel Macedo (Almeria)
The Brazilian has quietly been one of the league's most impressive defenders this season and he continued his strong run of form against Villarreal on Sunday. The full-back was a threat in a forward area, while he was nice and tight at the back. The 25-year-old is reportedly attracting attention from across Spain.
Hector Moreno (Espanyol)
The Mexican has taken a bit of time to recover from the broken leg that he picked up at the 2014 World Cup, but his performances in recent games have consistently improved. Moreno was excellent in Espanyol's 0-0 draw against Atletico on Saturday, proving a real tower of strength.
Inigo Martinez (Real Sociedad)
The Spanish centre-back scored the only goal of the match as Sociedad recorded a 1-0 victory at Getafe on Monday. Martinez's goal came after 66 minutes, while he proved unbeatable at the other end. More performances of this ilk will only intensify the reported interest in the 23-year-old defender.
Benat (Athletic Bilbao)
Bilbao and indeed Benat have not had it all their own way this season, but both have really picked up over the last few weeks. The Basque outfit continued their excellent run of form with a 2-1 win at Celta Vigo on Saturday, with Benat a key contributor to their success with a midfield masterclass.
Ever Banega (Sevilla)
The Argentine has had his personal problems in the past, but he seems to have found a home at Sevilla. The midfielder's form has been a key part of their success this season and he was once again terrific at the weekend – playing a direct role in two of his side's three goals in their comfortable win over Elche.
Dani Parejo (Valencia)
Much like Banega at Sevilla, Parejo has been one of the main catalysts for Valencia's strong season. The midfielder scored his side's first in their 2-0 win over Deportivo on Friday, but it was the Spaniard's overall performance that impressed the most. It was a real captain's display from the 25-year-old.
Gareth Bale (Real Madrid)
The Welshman has come in for severe criticism in recent weeks, but he ended his eight-game league scoring drought with a double in Real Madrid's 2-0 victory over Levante on Sunday. It was much more like it from the attacker, who looked hungry to impress from the very first whistle at the Bernabeu.
Carlos Bacca (Sevilla)
Bacca took his league tally to 16 for the season with a double in Sevilla's 3-0 victory over Elche on Sunday. The Colombian's first came from the penalty spot, before he headed home from close range to double the home side's lead. Elche just could not live with the movement and explosiveness of the striker.
Alberto Bueno (Rayo Vallecano)
Bueno's stock continues to rise following another double in Rayo Vallecano's 3-1 win over Granada on Saturday. The Spaniard has scored 15 league goals this season and is now Rayo's all-time leading scorer in Spain's top flight. The former Real Madrid youngster simply had too much for the Granada defence.
Lionel Messi (Barcelona)
Barcelona ensured that they would top the table entering El Clasico with a 2-0 victory at Eibar on Saturday. Once again it was Messi that came to the forefront for his team, with the Argentine netting both goals. It was another hugely impressive 90 minutes for the attacker, who has returned to his best in 2015.
