The incredible LaLiga relegation battle: Nine teams not safe with two games left

Author: Panos Kostopoulos

A host of teams are fighting to avoid the final two relegation places, with Real Oviedo being the only LaLiga side to have been mathematically confirmed to be heading to the second tier

This season’s relegation battle in LaLiga is one for the books with as many as nine teams yet to secure safety with only two games remaining. Following Round 36, bottom-placed Real Oviedo are the only team with their fate already decided as we are heading into Sunday’s matchday.

The conclusion of the midweek round has seen Athletic Club and Rayo Vallecano mathematically secure their spot in next season’s top flight. It should be noted that these two teams are currently pushing for European qualification, as only nine points separate seventh-placed Getafe and third-bottom Real Mallorca.

In fact, the Bermellones are level on points with second-bottom Levante and Elche, who sit just outside the relegation zone. Deportivo Alaves and Girona have picked up 40 points, while Espanyol and Osasuna have collected 42, with Valencia and Sevilla on 43 points.


According to Spanish journalist Pedro Martín, clubs reaching 43 points may now be effectively safe from relegation even if mathematics technically still leaves the door open.

Martín has suggested that while unusual combinations of results could theoretically still drag certain teams into trouble, the probabilities are becoming extremely small largely because of the complicated scenarios that can emerge through multiple draws and head-to-head tiebreakers.

“The key is 43 points,” Martín told Tiempo de Juego.

The key fixtures

There is one game that carries significant importance, with Osasuna hosting Espanyol on Sunday. Both sides currently sit within the aforementioned tightly packed group, meaning the result could dramatically shape the final weeks of the season.

A draw, however, would take both clubs to the 43-point mark, the tally that Martín should effectively guarantee survival.

Levante host Mallorca before playing away at Real Betis, with the Bermellones hosting a relegated Real Oviedo in the last game of the season.

Elche play at home against Getafe before travelling to Catalonia, where they will take on Girona, who have a tough game this weekend against Atlético Madrid in the Spanish capital.

Alaves play at Oviedo before hosting Rayo Vallecano, with Osasuna and Espanyol taking on Getafe and Real Sociedad, respectively, after facing each other this weekend.

Sevilla and Valencia arguably have the toughest schedule, with the Andalusian side facing Real Madrid on home soil before travelling to Vigo for a game against Celta, while Los Che play at Real Sociedad before hosting LaLiga champions Barcelona.

ClubPointsNext match (MD37)Final match (MD38)
Valencia43Real Sociedad (A)Barcelona (H)
Sevilla43Real Madrid (H)Celta (A)
Espanyol42Osasuna (A)Real Sociedad (H)
Osasuna42Espanyol (H)Getafe (A)
Girona40Atlético Madrid (A)Elche (H)
Alavés40Oviedo (A)Rayo Vallecano (H)
Elche39Getafe (H)Girona (A)
Mallorca39Levante (A)Oviedo (H)
Levante39Mallorca (H)Real Betis (A)