Liga, the race for fourth place could end in this midweek round. Possible verdicts also in the salvation fight: predictions.
Three days to go in a La Liga that has already delivered some important verdicts. In addition to Real Madrid winning the title and the two relegations, arithmetic, of Almeria and Granada, the race for fourth place could finally end in this midweek round. Into the Champions League will almost certainly go Atletico Madrid, which needs only one point to secure fourth place and detach the pass for the next edition of the cup with the big ears.
The Colchoneros flew to +8 over Athletic Bilbao: to be overtaken by the Basques they would have to lose all of them, a frankly science fiction scenario. The victory obtained a week ago at the Metropolitano against Celta Vigo, bent by a goal from former Udinese player De Paul, was decisive: for Diego Simeone’s men it was the third consecutive success after those with Bilbao and Mallorca. It was a crescendo ending to a season chock-full of ups and downs, which prevented the Madrid men from fighting for more ambitious goals. Atletico Madrid, we said, would only need a draw at home to hostile Getafe to sing victory. It will come but José Bordalas’ team, which is eager to redeem its two defeats to Athletic Bilbao and Cadiz, will certainly not roll out the red carpet for them: at least one goal on each side in the Coliseum Perez challenge.
In contrast, the other club in the Spanish capital, Rayo Vallecano, is in a hurry to mortgage salvation. The Matagigantes, fresh from a precious scoreless draw in Valencia, with a success over relegated Granada would, in the worst case scenario, maintain a six-point lead over third-last Cadiz, simultaneously engaged at home to Sevilla.
The predictions on the other matches
Victory over Getafe restored hope for Cadiz but the gap over fourth-last remains significant. Mauricio Pellegrino’s men have to make up 5 points on Celta Vigo and even winning them all between now and the end of the tournament could still relegate them to Segunda.
For sure, the Andalusians will give everything in the match at the “Sanchez Pizjuan” in Seville. The problem is that the Andalusians despite being out of everything of vacations still do not seem to want to know. A week ago they lost 3-2 to Villarreal but were coming from five useful results (four wins and a draw). There is a good chance, in short, that Sevilla will honor the commitment. So hopes Celta Vigo, which in the event it beats Bilbao and at the same time Cadiz does not win would be saved. This is far from a remote possibility given that Ernesto Valverde’s men, after winning the King’s Cup, have relaxed a bit and realistically can no longer reach fourth place.
Liga: possible winners
Rayo Vallecano (in Rayo Vallecano-Granada).
Sevilla (in Sevilla-Cadice)
Celta or draw (in Celta Vigo-Athletic Bilbao)
The matches of at least one goal per team
Sevilla-Cadiz
Celta Vigo-Athletic Bilbao
