Today sees the final round of matches being played in La Liga. Going into today we have four teams looking to survive the big drop, Deportivo, Granada, Eibar and Almería. All will be looking to avoid joining Córdoba in the Segunda next season but the bottom club still have a say in who will be joining them.
So many permutations and outcomes involved. The fixtures today see Depor go to Barcelona, Granada host Atlético, Almería are at home to Valencia and Eibar have Córdoba to contend with at home.
Eibar
Of the four on paper at least Eibar have the best chance of securing their status. Córdoba haven't won a game since January and are badly out of form heading into this having not picked up a point in their last five games.
For Eibar only a win will give them a chance. They do need other results to go their way but the minimum is a victory today. However Eibar themselves have only registered one victory since January so it could be a tight game where probably one goal will be enough. Personally I would like Eibar to survive. They have been a breath of fresh air since their promotion last season and it really would be amazing for them to stay up when not many gave them a sniff back in August of staying up.
To survive:
Eibar win / Deportivo or Granada lose
Eibar win / Deportivo draw, Granada lose and Almería fail to win
Eibar win / Deportivo win, Granada draw and Almería fail to win
Almería
Almería have a potential three point deduction hanging over their heads but with a decision on that not due to next week all focus is purely on the pitch. They host champions league chasing Valencia in what is a difficult game for Almería. Like Eibar, only a victory will do for the Andalucíans and results elsewhere need to go their way.
They did give Valencia a run for their money in the return fixure in January where Valencia needed a late goal to secure a 3-2 win. Almería were threatening good form about a month and a bit ago but have hit bad form at the wrong time.
To survive:
Almería win / Deportivo and Eibar fail to win
Almería win / Deportivo or Granada draw
Almería win / Deportivo and Granada and Eibar lose
Deportivo
Newly promoted Depor have been here before in the last few years. They were here in 2012-13 when they fell through the trap door to the Segunda. On that occasion they were newly promoted, this season they are newly promoted and hoping the same fate doesn't meet them.
They travel across northern Spain to Barcelona to face the newly crowned champions. The fact that Barca have nothing to play for gives Depor a bit of hope in this game. Last thing Barca want is to risk some first teamers to injury against a side fighting to stay up, while they have two cup finals to prepare for.
Depor haven't won at Camp nou since 2003 and a victory would guarantee survival regardless of other results. A draw and other results will need to go their way and a defeat certainly leaves Depor vulnerable.
To survive:
Deportivo win
Deportivo draw / Granada and Almeria fail to win
Deportivo lose / Almeria and Eibar fail to win
Granada
Certainly the form team of the four sides. Three wins from the last three games have pushed Granada out of the drop and like Depor another victory today and they will stay up. A draw runs the risk and a defeat certainly does. However facing Atlético won't be easy. Atlético are still looking to secure 3rd place so it makes for a highly competitive game today.
To survive:
Granada win
Granda draw / Almería do not win
Granada lose / Almería and Eibar fail to win
Verdict:
I can see Eibar securing the three points against Córdoba. Almería I just don't see them beating Valencia, Depor might nick a point and Granada will lose to Atlético. Which leaves us with this.
16. Deportivo (35 points) *Depor have the better head-to-head over Eibar
17. Eibar (35 points)
18. Granada (34 points)
19. Almería (33 points)
20. Córdoba (20 points)
Either way it's going to be changing hands regularly throughout the evening and promises to be a very interesting battle indeed.
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