La Liga return schedule confirmed as Lionel Messi bids for 11th league title

Spain's National Sports Council (CSD) has confirmed La Liga will resume on 11 June and set out the schedule for the final 11 rounds of fixtures.

The Spanish top-flight was suspended in mid-March amid the coronavirus outbreak but the country's government recently authorised the return of professional sport from 8 June onwards.

With Barcelona currently edging rivals Real Madrid with a two-point lead at the top of the table, the title race is a far closer contest than in the Premier League.

And matches are set to be broadcast in England for free with action commencing on Thursday 11 June.

The first match sees Sevilla face local rivals Real Betis before Real Madrid and Barcelona resume their campaigns against Eibar and Real Mallorca respectively over the following days.

With 110 fixtures remaining, there will be matches every day so the season can finish by 19 July.

Games will be played behind closed doors and adhere to strict safety protocols agreed by La Liga bosses and the Ministry of Health.

Kick-off times are set to be later than usual to avoid the hottest points of the day as the season extends into the summer.

The return of La Liga means Argentina superstar Lionel Messi returns to action in pursuit of his third La Liga title in a row and 11th of his career.

The Barcelona captain and Ballon d'Or holder has enjoyed yet another sublime season at Camp Nou.

He leads La Liga in goals scored and assists after netting 19 times and setting up his teammates on 12 occasions.

Elsewhere in La Liga, Sevilla and Real Sociedad occupy the remaining Champions League spots but are closely pursued by Getafe and Atletico Madrid.

As it stands, Mallorca, Leganes and Espanyol are destined for relegation to the Segunda Division.

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