OSASUNA must beat relegated Real Betis in their final match to have a chance of staying up.
Their top-flight status also depends on the outcome of the matches involving second-bottom Real Valladolid who also have 36 points and need a win against Granada for any chance of survival.
Granada sit just above the bottom three and could be safe with a draw, sending Osasuna and Valladolid down. Osasuna came out 2-1 on top in the reverse fixture at the Benito Villamarin in January so Betis, who have won only six league matches all season, will be out to take something back to Sevilla.
Gabriel Calderon's men edged a seven-goal thriller at home to Valladolid last weekend as they ended a run of six straight defeats and are looking to bow out on a high.
I reckon Osasuna will win but hate a best price of 2-5 with William Hill and Ladbrokes.
Almeria say they'll go on the attack against Athletic Bilbao but a draw will be enough to ensure they avoid relegation and they'll probably get it. Even if they do lose to the Basques they can only be relegated on goal difference if Granada win at Valladolid and Osasuna beat Betis.
Athletic sealed their place in next season's Champions League a fortnight ago but coach Ernesto Valverde insisted his team will not take it easy and he had five players unavailable.
Last weekend's agonising defeat to Betis – where Valladolid led three times before falling to a stoppage-time goal – means they must beat Granada and hope for favourable results from elsewhere to stay up.
Granada's hopes of earning a fourth successive season in the top flight have been badly hit by a poor run of form at just the wrong time. They have picked up just four points from a possible 24 in the last few weeks and will not find it easy to break that dismal run at the Jose Zorrilla where Valladolid have only lost three times this season – a home record only bettered by the top four sides in La Liga.
Take Valladolid at 23-20 with Paddy Power and hopefully they'll make amends for letting us down last weekend.
Getafe coach Cosmin Contra says he's not expecting any favours from Rayo Vallecano as his side head to Vallecas in search of the point that will see them avoid relegation.
The 1-0 win over Sevilla last week lifted Getafe three points above the drop zone and as long as they avoid defeat on Sunday they can look forward to an 11th successive season in the top flight.
Rayo are safe and interestingly haven't drawn a home game this season so look at Getafe at 11-10 with the Betfred and others.
Real Sociedad face Villarreal in the early kick-off as they try to clinch fifth spot. They should win this and are 19-20 at William Hill.
Sevilla coach Unai Emery will play some second string and academy players in his team's final game of the season against Elche after securing Europa League football by winning the tournament.
Elche have little to play for after sealing survival with last week's 0-0 draw with Barcelona and coach Fran Escriba won't risk Colombian midfielder Carlos Sanchez ahead of the World Cup.
Recommended Bets
Valladolid
(23-20, Paddy Power)
Sevilla v Elche draw
(3-1, William Hill)
Getafe
(11-10, Betfred)
Resident football tipster at Scotland's most read newspaper, the Daily Record, for over 20 years and proud host of one the best betting communities on the web with daily betting tips.
The La Liga clash between Real Sociedad and Villareal is an interesting one. Both teams have already qualified for the Europa League and will be fighting to take 6th spot which means three things; only one playoff round to reach the group stages; higher piece of the media revenue and a few extra weeks off to prepare for the first competitive match of the season. Villareal have made a great return to the Spanish top flight and winning this final game of the season would put the icing on a successful season. They began the season winning their first 3 games before holding Real Madrid to a 2 – 2 draw. They almost did the same just 4 weeks ago in a thrilling 2 – 3 encounter against Barcelona and I see them finishing the way they started. They also have a good record against La Real. Real Sociedad have been poor against teams who like to attack having already conceded 5 from Villareal the last time out. Their defense struggles to bring the ball out of the area and they’re one of the worser counter attacking teams. Villareal are 3 points behind but have the goal difference and a 0 – 1 scoreline will secure the 6th spot but I expect them to be pushing for goals because that’s what they do best and it’s that attacking mentality that has got them this far.
Recommended bets:
Villarreal DNB (5/4)
Villarreal Over 1.5 TTG (5/4)
Could I have written ‘season’ and ‘but’ more in a write-up? haha :)
Oh and I can’t go by this thread without saying: Atleti Atleti OOOO OOOO :D
Shanghai SIPG only tip from Mr today should be able to get 9/2 lunchtime kick off over in China
Rusty. Thank u for the villa real tip on over 1.5 goals
You’re welcome. Glad some were on it :)
My best VALUE anytime scorer bets in la liga all odds with william hill
Valladolid v Granada – Anytime Goalscorer
Youssef El Arabi @ 7/4
Almeria v Athletic Bilbao – Anytime Goalscorer
Americ Laporte @ 12/1 GREAT VALUE!
Rayo Vallecano v Getafe – Anytime Goalscorer
Alberto Bueno @ 10/3