While Las Palmas got relegated with time to spare, Leganes are still trying to escape the same fate. With two rounds left and a four-point deficit, it could all end on Sunday.
Do you remember a month ago when Las Palmas picked up back-to-back wins over Atletico Madrid and Getafe, and for a moment it felt like we may get a fantastic survival story? Well, the wins were followed by four consecutive defeats and the last one mid-week confirmed their relegation. Compared to some of the other teams at the bottom, El Pio-Pio had the potential to do better.
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Their next opponents, Leganes, for instance, have been worse in attack and just as bad defensively. But their chances to survive remain alive thanks to their recent four-match unbeaten run, which was ended by Villarreal on Wednesday. However, it is no longer up to them. Even if they beat Las Palmas, Los Pepineros may get relegated if their direct competitors win theirs too.
How the bookies view it: Tight until the end
Bookies clearly don't know what to expect from this matchup. As both sides reside at the very bottom of the table, they expect a tight contest, although one of the teams is already out of the league. Namely, you can pick Las Palmas at 19/10, Leganes at 7/5, or the draw at 5/2.
Recent head to head: Home advantage played its part
The recent H2Hs show a curious trend where almost every meeting was won by the host. This means that home advantage plays a massive role when these teams meet and it also means that their rivalry is very competitive. The H2H record shows the same – Las Palmas won three of the last 10 matches and Leganes won five. Only one of the combined eight wins was for the away end.
Players to watch: Raba to boost his worth
Leganes' Dani Raba could be thinking about a potential transfer this summer, especially if his team gets relegated. The 29-year-old striker had another solid season overall and was at his best in the last couple of months. For instance, he scored in three consecutive games after his brace against Betis, which was followed by goals against Real Madrid and Leganes. He also produced two goals in the massive 3-2 win over Espanyol a week ago. With his contract expiring in June, this is the best time to step up.
Probable line-ups
Las Palmas: Horkas, Munoz, McKenna, Suarez, Rozada, Essugo, Munoz, Ramirez, Moleiro, Januzaj, McBurnie
Leganes: Dmitrovic, Tapia, Saenz, Gonzalez, Rosier, Cisse, Neyou, Hernandez, Diomande, Raba, Haddadi
Anything else catch the eye?
Only one team has struggled more away from home than Borja Jimenez's team. Leganes managed to win only one away match this season. While it was a famous one (1-0 vs Barcelona), it is not enough to even allow for cautious optimism.
The main factor will be Las Palmas' recent relegation. The Yellows have nothing to fight for and can simply enjoy their last days in the elite. Leganes will be on edge here and seeking goals desperately. Apart from the recent trashing away at Villarreal, Leganes have shown signs of improvement and won points in four consecutive games. We will back them here but very cautiously with the size of our bets. A repeat of the reverse fixture sounds fairly logical – a 2-1 win for Leganes.
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