Question of the Week: Can Barcelona Catch Up to Real Madrid?

Greetings from the land of sand. This is the weekly segment here on Managing Madrid where I walk around my international campus and ask random people of different backgrounds and football loyalties questions about the footballing world and Real Madrid.

It was ten. Now it's four.

Oh beautiful gap, where did you go?

A series of draws, bad days, and certainly some bad luck has caught Barcelona up to Real Madrid at the summit of the Spanish league table. The Capitol club is only four points ahead of the Catalan giants with seven matches left.

The question this week: Now that the gap at the top of the league has shrunk, do you think Barcelona can catch up?

Some would argue that Real Madrid could stay consistent for seven matches. Even if they lost El Clasico, there would still be a one point gap at the top. I mean, Real Madrid once had a run of 13 matches with no points dropped (yes, the good old days). However, los blancos have yet to play most teams on the top half of the league table and with a congested schedule as well as the Champions League picking up, I'm sorry to say it, but Real Madrid could be in some trouble.

So what are some other fans thinking?

"Barcelona have the opportunity to catch up if they are truly ready for it. A four point gap is still a long way but if Barcelona keep their form in the league they should catch up. Real Madrid's schedule is harder than Barcelona's and considering the fact that they are playing Bayern Munich in the UCL, they have more trouble to go through. But 7 games left anything can happen."

-Saker, Palestine, Barcelona

"Barcelona have found a way to win in the past and it would surprise if they don't do it again."

-Samuel, Pakistan, Liverpool

"Barcelona should be able to catch up, mostly because Madrid have a less friendly schedule remaining: the Madrid derby in 3 days, the Classico (away) in between both of their champions league matches, and then they immediately play Sevilla, and then away to athletic. They're playing every 3 days for the remainder of the season, to some of the top teams in La Liga, and despite having a deeper squad then Barca, the fatigue and negative momentum will be too much to overcome.

-Yusuf, Ethiopia, AC Milan

"Honestly, I think Barcelona have a really good chance as Barcelona and Real Madrid still have a match left towards the end of the season. So long as Barcelona don't drop any more points, I think they are in with a real chance of winning."

-Fahad, Pakistan, Liverpool

That was overwhelmingly positive wasn't it? (note the sarcasm!). Madridistas, this doesn't look good. What do you think? Vote in the pole, comment below, and keep the conversation going on facebook and twitter. And as always, Hala Madrid!