Real Madrid can be champions by Sunday night

 　　MADRID, April 28 (Xinhua) -- The destiny of the BBVA Primera Liga title could be decided¹ and Real Madrid crowned as champions in Spain by 23:30 local time should results go their way on Sunday.

　　With four matches left to play, Madrid, who have a seven point lead over second place FC Barcelona entertain Sevilla in the Santiago Bernabeu stadium on Sunday lunchtime.

　　Should they win that game, the game would be opened to 10 points and Barcelona would have to avoid defeat in their night-time kick off away to Rayo Vallecano to stop their rivals being crowned as champions that very night.

　　If Madrid win and Barcelona only draw, then a point away to Athletic² Club Bilbao on Wednesday would be enough to give Madrid the title.

　　It has been a strange week for both clubs, with the Spanish giants each falling in the semifinals of the Champions league: Real Madrid were beaten in a penalty shootout by Bayern Munich, while Barcelona were unable to defeat Chelsea, despite controlling the majority of the ball.

　　Without doubt, however, the major story of the week was the decision announced by Pep Guardiola on Friday that he will not continue as first team coach next season and the immediate³ confirmation⁴ by Barca President Sandro Rosell that Guardiola's assistant Tito Vilanova will step up to replace him as coach for the next campaign.

　　It remains⁵ to be seen how the Barcelona squad⁶ will react to the news, but it looks likely they will try and dedicate a win to the man who has taken them to a magnificent 13 trophies⁷ in just four seasons.

　　Barcelona will be without midfielder Xavi Hernandez, who is once again suffering from a muscle problem in his calf⁸.

　　Madrid will go into their game looking to seal the title as soon as possible amid rumors⁹ that Jose Mourinho is about to sign an improved contract and extend his powers at the club in exchange for committing himself to seeing out the end of his contract at the Bernabeu.

　　Games against Sevilla have been feisty affairs in the past and former Madrid player Michel Gonzalez, who is now Sevilla coach knows his side need points in order to maintain their title hopes.

　　Nevertheless with Madrid closing in on the title, the local authorities will be putting protection around the Cibeles fountain, where the club celebrates its successes, just in case things work out for the home side according to script.

1 decided   

adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的

参考例句：

• This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。
• There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。

2 athletic   

adj.擅长运动的，强健的；活跃的，体格健壮的

参考例句：

• This area has been marked off for athletic practice.这块地方被划出来供体育训练之用。
• He is an athletic star.他是一个运动明星。

3 immediate   

adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的

参考例句：

• His immediate neighbours felt it their duty to call.他的近邻认为他们有责任去拜访。
• We declared ourselves for the immediate convocation of the meeting.我们主张立即召开这个会议。

4 confirmation   

n.证实，确认，批准

参考例句：

• We are waiting for confirmation of the news.我们正在等待证实那个消息。
• We need confirmation in writing before we can send your order out.给你们发送订购的货物之前，我们需要书面确认。

5 remains   

n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹

参考例句：

• He ate the remains of food hungrily.他狼吞虎咽地吃剩余的食物。
• The remains of the meal were fed to the dog.残羹剩饭喂狗了。

6 squad   

n.班，小队，小团体；vt.把…编成班或小组

参考例句：

• The squad leader ordered the men to mark time.班长命令战士们原地踏步。
• A squad is the smallest unit in an army.班是军队的最小构成单位。

7 trophies   

n.（为竞赛获胜者颁发的）奖品( trophy的名词复数 )；奖杯；（尤指狩猎或战争中获得的）纪念品；（用于比赛或赛跑名称）奖

参考例句：

• His football trophies were prominently displayed in the kitchen. 他的足球奖杯陈列在厨房里显眼的位置。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The hunter kept the lion's skin and head as trophies. 这猎人保存狮子的皮和头作为纪念品。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》

8 calf   

n.小牛，犊，幼仔，小牛皮

参考例句：

• The cow slinked its calf.那头母牛早产了一头小牛犊。
• The calf blared for its mother.牛犊哞哞地高声叫喊找妈妈。

9 rumors   

n.传闻( rumor的名词复数 )；[古]名誉；咕哝；[古]喧嚷v.传闻( rumor的第三人称单数 )；[古]名誉；咕哝；[古]喧嚷

参考例句：

• Rumors have it that the school was burned down. 有谣言说学校给烧掉了。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Rumors of a revolt were afloat. 叛变的谣言四起。 来自《简明英汉词典》