After the quarter-final first legs of the Champions League and Europa League, the league returns this weekend. On Matchday 29, the top three teams meet teams fighting for the rescue. Real Madrid visit Cádiz on Saturday and Barcelona do the same with Getafe on Sunday. The same day that a drunk Atlético, just two points behind their neighbors in the capital, hosts Almería at the Metropolitano. An interesting Basque derby between Athletic and Real Sociedad will also take place on this day in San Mamés. With the title imposed on Barça, with ten dates remaining, the greatest interest in the competition is to find out who fills the European positions and, importantly, who is relegated. In a very even lower zone, Valencia and Sevilla face each other in an atypical duel: two teams used to fighting in the upper part face each other with the goal of salvation.
These are the games of the day:
Rayo Vallecano – Osasuna (Friday 14, 21:00, DAZN, GOL)
Santander League day 29
Rayo Vallecano and Osasuna open the day on Friday. The people of Vallecano are experiencing a long drought of victory that has lasted for more than two months (5 draws and 3 defeats), while the Navarrese are in a good phase after reaching the final of the Copa del Rey and their last league win Elch. Nevertheless, there is only one point difference in the table in favor of those from Arrasate. A win in Vallecas would provisionally propel Osasuna into seventh place which could provide entry to Europe. Lejeune is low for Iraola while the visitors can’t count on Brasanac or Rubén García.
Villarreal – Valladolid (Saturday 15, 2:00 p.m. DAZN)
Santander League Day 29Back
A Villarreal started in recent weeks are chasing the last Champions League spot within their reach, held by Real Sociedad by four points. After adding up 10 of the last 12 points at stake, the yellow box gets a Valladolid who has switched coaches in the battle to remain. Pezzolano’s debut as a substitute for Pacheta resulted in a three-goal draw in Zorrilla against Mallorca. The Pucelanos, who are four weeks without a win, start the day from the red spots where they could fall in case of defeat.
Athletic – Real Sociedad (Saturday 15, 16:15 Movistar LaLiga)
Santander League day 29
Basque derby in San Mamés. Athletic consoled themselves after the cup disappointment by beating Espanyol, which leaves them five points behind the European tables. Eleven more than them are Real Sociedad, who defend fourth place against Villarreal and Betis. Both Bilbao and San Sebastian reduced their odds in the second round and this game looks to be key to both’s aspirations. In the first leg, Real defeated Athletic (3-1), but the last derby in San Mamés ended in a clear (4-0) win for the Rojiblancos.
Betis – Espanyol (Saturday 15, 6:30 p.m., DAZN)
Santander League day 29
Betis and Espanyol face each other in point trouble. The Verdiblancos saw Champions League places slipping away and gave up fifth place in favor of Villarreal after losing at home to Cádiz and they have another chance in Villamarín against another lower-zone rival, Espanol. It is Luis García’s second game on the blue and white bench after Diego Martínez was sacked. The Parrots are still in the relegation zone and have suffered five consecutive defeats in the league. At Betis, Canales and Ruibal are low, expelled against Cadiz.
Cadiz-Real Madrid (Saturday 15, 21:00 Movistar LaLiga)
Santander League day 29
Real Madrid, focused on the big European nights and the Copa del Rey, are returning to a league where they seem to have finally given up, 13 points behind Barça. The Whites are visiting a Cádiz mired in the bitter struggle to remain but strengthened after defeating Betis. A week earlier, against Sevilla, a flawless run ended at the home ground of the Yellows, who had not lost at the Nuevo Mirandilla since September. Only Mendy is minor at Madrid, although rotations are expected as usual in recent weeks.
Girona v Elche (Sunday 16, 2pm Movistar LaLiga)
Santander League day 29
Girona open Sunday’s action against Elche. Míchel’s men are hoping for three points against the bottom of the table to stroke the rescue after their meritorious draw at the Camp Nou. The Catalans are strong in Montilivi, where they have won four of their last five games. They meet Elche de Becaccece, their fourth coach of the season, who is currently without a win in his two games ahead of Elche, already 16 points from rescue.
Getafe – Barcelona (Sunday, 16th, 4:15 p.m., DAZN)
Santander League day 29
Barcelona visits Getafe in his career to sing the Alirón as soon as possible. Xavi’s men are looking for a win that will boost their spirits after their Cup win over Madrid and goalless draw with Girona. Christensen, Dembelé, Pedri and De Jong remain key losses for Xavi against an Azulón side who broke a four-game unbeaten streak on the final day, putting them a game clear of relegation.
Atlético de Madrid – Almería (Sunday 16, 18:30, Movistar LaLiga)
Santander League day 29
Atlético de Madrid at their best, the best team of the second round, are looking to extend their winning streak against Almería. Simeone’s team has weakened after being eliminated from the rest of the competitions, even threatening second-place Madrid. They meet Almería, who took a breather to get out of relegation after beating direct rivals like Valencia. Of course, Rubi’s men are the worst away guests in the competition, with just four points from 13 away games.
Valencia – Seville (Sunday 16, 9:00 p.m., DAZN)
Santander League day 29
Dramatic salvation duel between Valencia and Sevilla, two teams that certainly could not imagine fighting for this level at the beginning of the season. The Valencians come to the duel even more needy than the Sevillians, who got some breathing room with a win and a draw after the arrival of Mendilibar. Baraja’s side are clinging to Mestalla in decline, where they are undefeated with the new coach on the bench (two wins and one draw).
Celta – Mallorca (Monday 17, 21:00 Movistar LaLiga)
The great second half of the season that Celta signed catapulted them into the quiet area of the table after many days of flirting with relegation. The Celestials scored an agonizing point against Sevilla that keeps them two above their rivals Mallorca this Monday. The Zinnobers, with a near-tie save, are trying to avoid last-minute scares after six games without a win. It will be an important goalscoring duel: Iago Aspas and Muriqi each have 12 goals.
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