This past weekend saw drama to the very last with Girona just minutes away from a first ever promotion to Spain's top flight. Lugo's equiliser yesterday meant Sporting Gijón, who dispatched champions Real Betis 3-0 sealed 2nd place on goal difference. Girona will now take their place in the play-offs.
Joining Girona in the play-offs are Real Valladolid, Las Palmas and Real Zaragoza. In Zaragoza's case they were vying with Ponferradina and over the course of yesterday they were out of the play-offs as they went behind to Leganés and Ponferradina were winning against Alcorcón. However a 2-2 draw for Zaragoza was enough to secure a play-off spot.
First legs of the play-offs take place on Wednesday and Thursday this week with the return legs on Saturday and Sunday so not much time in between.
- Real Valladolid v Las Palmas (Wednesday 19:00)
- Las Palmas v Real Valladolid (Saturday 19:00)
- Real Zaragoza v Girona (Thursday 19:00)
- Girona v Real Zaragoza (Sunday 16:00)
Girona
Heartbreakingly close to automatic promotion, the Catalans do have a 2nd chance with these play-offs. They have performed admirably this season to get into this position. The attacking trio of Jaime Mata, Felipe Sanchón and Francisco Sandaza have fired Girona into this position and a couple more will be much-needed to help the Catalan club into La Liga for the first time.
They play Real Zaragoza in the semi-finals and interestingly in the two games they have played each other this season its actually Zaragoza who have the better head-to-head record.
They have been in the play-offs before and did in fact reach the final only to be blown away by Almería in 2013. Of that team that started the 3-0 defeat to Almería, goalkeeper Isaac, Felipe Sanchón and Eloi Amagat remain. The painful loss of automatica promotion will have either two affects, give Girona the extra motivation needed to finally secure promotion or shatter the confidence that was built up over what has been a fantastic season for them. We shall see.
Las Palmas
Along with champions Real Betis, Las Palmas were the division's top scorers with 73 goals. Their main threat being Argentine hitman Sergio Araújo who helped himself to 23. Indifferent form in February through to April prevented an automatic promotion place for the Canary Islanders leaving them to contend with their 3rd play-off place in three seasons.
Last season's heartbreak against Córdoba should be a motivation enough to break through the play-off barrier. They have an experienced squad of ex La Liga players such as Jonathan Vieria, Nauzet Aléman, Ángel López and of course Juan Carlos Valerón.
They also have the small factor of having had the better head-to-head record against Valladolid who they play in the semi-final. In fact Las Palmas had the better head-to-head against all the play-offs sides in the regular season which could swing the tide their way.
Real Valladolid
Relegated last-season on the final day from La Liga, Valladolid will be aiming for a swift return to the top table of Spanish football. Squad had some changes last summer but of those who did stay, midfielder Óscar performed very well. He was their top scorer with 15 goals as none of Valladolid's striker got higher than 6 goals. Defensively the team wasn't bad conceding 40 goals in 42 games and in goalkeeper Javi Varas they have a dependable shot stopper.
They play Las Palmas in the semi-final and will need that defense and Varas in form to keep out the free-scoring Islanders. Apart from Las Palmas, Valladolid had equal head-to-head records with Girona and Zaragoza over the course of the season.
Real Zaragoza
Just about managed to secure the final play-off spot at the expense of Ponferradina. A draw with Leganés coupled with Ponferradina's draw against Alcorcón saw the Aragón side through by a point. Of the play-off sides, Zaragoza scored the fewest goals with 61 and of those 61 goals, 23 were scored by on-loan Atlético Madrid hitman Borja Bastón. Financially its safe to say Zaragoza need the play-offs to go their way and can take hope from last season's play-offs when Córdoba sneaked the final play-off spot and won the play-offs. In terms of head-to-head with their play-off rivals they were equal with Valladolid, better than Girona and inferior against Las Palmas.
They play Girona who will be looking to bounce back from the promotion miss so tough one to call really.
Verdict
Play-offs are quiet hard to call especially since form does tend to go out of the window. However I am going to go with Las Palmas to secure the final promotion spot by beating Zaragoza in the final. Of course I could be completely wrong but I just think the near miss of last season will give Las Palmas the push that is needed to finally secure a return to La Liga for the first time since 2001-02.
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