Following the midweek fixtures of MD36, the La Liga action continues this weekend with MD37, the penultimate round of what has been a fascinating campaign. Real Madrid have already been crowned champions, but several other battles are still very much alive and could reach their conclusions this weekend.
Making this matchday extra special is the fact that there is a unified kick-off time on Sunday for most of the games, so all the drama will be unfolding at the same time. The only game which takes place away from Sunday evening is the duel between 11th-placed Alaves and 10th-placed Getafe on Saturday, with both these clubs firmly in mid-table.
Sunday’s slate of fixtures will then all kick off at 19:00 CEST and the relegation battle promises to be particularly exciting. Cadiz currently occupy 18th place, which is the last relegation spot still to be decided, but Los Amarillos have won their past two games and are hoping to complete a great escape as they chase down those above them. This weekend, Cadiz face one of their direct competitors, in Las Palmas. The islanders haven’t won since February 10th and have been dragged into the relegation battle and into Cadiz’s line of sight. As such, it promises to be a thrilling duel at the Estadio Mirandilla, with a lot at stake.
Mallorca are the closest team to Cadiz in the standings right now, with just a four-point cushion, so Javier Aguirre’s squad understand just how important their home fixture against bottom-placed Almeria is. They couldn’t defeat the Andalusian side away from home earlier this term, so need to up their game for Sunday’s match.
Meanwhile, Celta enter the penultimate round with a five-point gap to Cadiz, having earned an important victory of their own in midweek. The Galicians aren’t safe yet. However, just like Mallorca, they also face an already-relegated opponent, in their case Granada. As such, Iago Aspas and co. will expect to collect three more points and to confirm their place in La Liga.
Rayo Vallecano are the other club who are still at risk of relegation and, worryingly for them, they have a tough trip to Catalonia to face Barcelona on Sunday. The good news for the Madrid side is that they have a very good recent record against Barca, having gone five unbeaten against Los Azulgrana.
Away from the relegation battle, the other major plot to solve is the race for Europe. Real Betis and Real Sociedad currently occupy the final two European spots and they will take on each other at the Estadio Benito Villamarin. Considering sixth brings a Europa League ticket, whereas seventh is the Conference League, the two clubs will hope to get the win and to enter the more prestigious UEFA competition.
Considering one or both of Real Betis and Real Sociedad will drop some points, that opens up an opportunity for Villarreal, who are just behind. They play at home, but against a tough opponent in Real Madrid. Also in the Valencian Community, Valencia will face Girona.
Elsewhere, Atletico Madrid will play their final home game of the campaign, when they take on Osasuna. Los Colchoneros have already clinched Champions League qualification, but they’ll want to make it a 12th consecutive finish inside the top three.
Another team playing for pride and hoping to rise up the table will be Sevilla, who could yet finish inside the top half despite what has been a tumultuous campaign. They’ll pay a visit to Athletic Club in Bilbao, where the San Mames crowd will watch icons like Iker Muniain and Raul Garcia play for the last time. There really is a little bit of everything coming up in this penultimate matchday of the season.
Watch LALIGA EA SPORTS live this weekend on Premier Sports.
