Crunch-time in knife-edge Spanish title race

By Simon Baskett

MADRID (Reuters) - Real Madrid could end a four-year trophy drought on Saturday by winning their crunch match at Real Zaragoza and if other results go their way in the penultimate round of the knife-edge Spanish title race.

Real must beat a talented but unpredictable Zaragoza side and hope that Barcelona and Sevilla lose their matches against Espanyol and Real Mallorca if they are to be crowned champions.

But club captain Raul believes the title race will go right down to the wire and will not be decided until the final match of the season on June 17.

"We are in a privileged position, unthinkable a few months ago, but I don't think anything will be decided until the last game," Raul said.

"I think all three sides will win their games, although we perhaps have the toughest one at Zaragoza."

Zaragoza have developed into a bogey team for Real in recent seasons.

They defeated them in extra-time in the 2004 King's Cup final, a result that is credited with precipitating the meltdown of the Galacticos, and last season they humiliated Real 6-1 in the semi-finals of the same competition.

But Real are now a far more resolute outfit and a six-match winning run has strengthened their belief that they can end Barcelona's domestic dominance and take the championship.