Anyway, at least Atlético will be safe in the top 4 this season and also, Barcelona do look better even though both of them are trying hard this season to get back to their best. Both of them also have bigger targets to pursue in European events, but as I said before that even though they have big targets in European events they are now safe for UCL tickets next season.
They have DNAs of winners and it is good for La Liga if they can play on behalf of La Liga in Champions League. Other clubs can have surprising successful season and take a ticket to Champions League but in most cases, they fail in the next season. It's bad for La Liga in general in competition with other leagues.
Real Madrid, Sevilla, Barcelona and Athletico Madrid have DNAs of success. In my opinion, if they don't have dramatic fall in quality, they are best for La Liga as representatives in Champions League.
By the way, Barcelona today will play at home against Osasuna and I don't think it will be an easy match either, because Osasuna is currently in the middle of the table which will certainly provide a strong resistance to force Barcelona to make greater efforts to get full points.
The season is coming the that last 1/4 that is important for all clubs. If the honey moon of Xavi and Barcelona is over, it will be terrible for them because they must have best performance until final day of season to have a position in either third or fourth position. Osasuna will be a first club that must be beaten by Barcelona to head towards this target.