Spanish league reaches finish with 6 teams in danger of relegation
Real Madrid's Eden Hazard, centre, and Cadiz's Luis Hernandez challenge for the ball during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between Cadiz CF and Real Madrid at the Nuevo Mirandilla stadium in Cadiz, Spain, Saturday, April 15, 2023. The Spanish league reaches its finish with six teams vying to not become the last side to be relegated to the second division. Cadiz, Getafe and Valencia each have 41 points. Credit: AP/Jose Breton
MADRID — Six teams are vying to avoid relegation to the second division as the Spanish league reaches its finish.
Cadiz, Getafe and Valencia each have 41 points, Almeria and Celta have 40, and Valladolid has 39 heading into the final round of games.
Valladolid is currently in 18th place, the last spot that will tumble along with already demoted Espanyol and Elche. But Valladolid has its fate in its hands because it hosts 14th-place Getafe on Sunday.
A victory by the team owned by former Brazil great Ronaldo would be enough to secure salvation, but a draw could do the trick depending on other results. A draw by Getafe would be enough for the modest Madrid-based club to stay up.
Cadiz, in 14th place, will play at Elche needing only a draw to ensure its survives.
Valencia, which eliminated Espanyol last weekend with a stoppage-time goal, needs a draw from its trip to Real Betis, which has already secured a Europa League berth.
A draw would also suffice Almeria at Espanyol.
Valencia's head coach Ruben Baraja gives instructions to his players during a Spanish La Liga soccer match between Valencia and Real Madrid, at the Mestalla stadium in Valencia, Spain, Sunday, May 21, 2023. The Spanish league reaches its finish with six teams vying to not become the last side to be relegated to the second division. Cadiz, Getafe and Valencia each have 41 points. Credit: AP/Alberto Saiz
Celta, which has entered a nosedive in recent weeks, hosts champion Barcelona needing a victory to control its fate. A draw would leave it depending on other results. Fortunately for Celta, Barcelona has nothing to play for.
Nearer to the top of the standings, Osasuna and Athletic Bilbao are tied on points and both wanting to clinch the Conference League berth that goes with a seventh-place finish.
Osasuna hosts Girona, while Bilbao is at Real Madrid.
LAST GAMES
Real Madrid's Nacho, left, and Cadiz's Raul Parra challenge for the ball during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between Cadiz CF and Real Madrid at the Nuevo Mirandilla stadium in Cadiz, Spain, Saturday, April 15, 2023. The Spanish league reaches its finish with six teams vying to not become the last side to be relegated to the second division. Cadiz, Getafe and Valencia each have 41 points. Credit: AP/Jose Breton
Barcelona veterans Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba, who have won multiple titles between them, will play their last game for the club.
But Madrid’s game at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium could potentially be the last appearances for the pillars of its multiple Champions Leagues over the past decade.
Karim Benzema and Luka Modric, both Ballon d’Or winners, along with Toni Kroos and Marco Asensio are all on contracts that expire at the end of June. The club and players have reportedly been in talks about their futures, but nothing has officially been decided.
