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La Liga set for big finish despite Barcelona procession
MADRID, April 19, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – Barcelona might have their eighth title
in 11 years all-but sewn up but, with six games left to play, La Liga is far
from finished.
Atletico Madrid are battling city rivals Real Madrid for bragging rights
and second place while Sevilla, Getafe and Valencia are in a three-way scrap
for the last Champions League spot.
Real Betis, Athletic Bilbao and Alaves could all make the Europa League,
and at the other end of the table, seven clubs are facing the threat of
relegation, with five of them separated by only three points.
Here, AFP Sports takes a look at what is left to play for ahead of round 33
this weekend.
Barcelona on for the treble
Barcelona sit nine points clear of Atletico and will be confirmed as
champions later this month if they beat Real Sociedad on Saturday, Alaves and
then Levante at Camp Nou on April 27.
The title could be wrapped up sooner if Atletico slip up, with Diego
Simeone’s side away to Eibar on Saturday before a tricky game at home to
Valencia next week.
Ernesto Valverde is likely to rest players to keep them fresh for their
Champions League semi-final against Liverpool but it is important to maintain
momentum too, not only for those two legs but also the Copa del Rey final
against Valencia next month. Barca have a treble in their sights.
Madrid rivals chase second
Finishing ahead of Real Madrid for a second consecutive year might not make
up for Atletico’s early exit from the Champions League or their timid title
challenge but it would still be an impressive achievement for a club that
continues to punch above its weight.
For Real and Zinedine Zidane, making up the four-point gap would be scant
consolation for a miserable season that cannot end soon enough.
They play at home to in-form Athletic Bilbao on Sunday, when focus will
again be on Zidane’s selections and any clues as to who might stay or go in
the summer. Gareth Bale, left out against Leganes on Monday, looks likely to
be on his way.
Sevilla look to close fourth
They were title challengers in November, doubtful to make the top four in
March and now Sevilla are favourites to take the final Champions League spot
ahead of Getafe, whom they visit on Sunday.
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Four wins, including one over rivals Real Betis last weekend, and a draw
since Joaquin Caparros swapped his role as sporting director for coach has
put Sevilla one point ahead of Getafe, whose own challenge will go down as
one of the most remarkable stories of the season.
Valencia are only three points back and will profit whatever the result at
Coliseum Alfonso Perez, as long as they win on Sunday away at Betis.
Getafe lead Europa League charge
That qualifying for the Europa League might end up as something of a
disappointment for Getafe speaks volumes for their season but, as well as
Valencia, in contention for the top six are also Athletic Bilbao, Alaves and
Betis.
Bilbao were facing a relegation battle after winning only one game before
December but a surge under new coach Gaizka Garitano means they are now only
three points off sixth.
Alaves were fighting for the top four only a few weeks ago but have tailed
off while Betis might have to beat Valencia this weekend to keep their hopes
of a European place alive.
Relegation fight open
Huesca look doomed at the bottom of the table and Rayo Vallecano, five
points adrift of safety, may have left themselves with too much to do, even
if they win at home to Huesca on Saturday.
But three points separates Real Valladolid in 18th and Girona in 14th, with
Villarreal, Levante and Celta Vigo in between.
Valladolid have the most to do while Girona are highest but arguably in the
worst form, closely followed by Levante, who still have Real Madrid and
Atletico to play.
Villarreal have a knack of self-destructing but should survive and Celta
seemingly cannot win without Iago Aspas, although he is back from suspension
on Saturday, for a crunch game at home to Girona.
Fixtures (times GMT)
Friday
Alaves v Valladolid (2000)
Saturday
Celta Vigo v Girona (1200), Eibar v Atletico Madrid (1515), Rayo Vallecano
v Huesca (1730), Barcelona v Real Sociedad (1945)
Sunday
Levante v Espanyol (1100), Getafe v Sevilla (1300), Real Madrid v Athletic
Bilbao (1515), Villarreal v Leganes (1730), Real Betis v Valencia (1945)
BSS/AFP/SSS/1602 hrs