Valencia are two points behind Real Sociedad, and whilst not being nearly as exciting and joyous to behold in La Primera this season, the Mestalla side have the experience to grind out enough points to take fourth spot and a place in next season's Champions League qualifying stage. Nevertheless, there may be a bit of catching up to do with the first of the remaining ten games being a visit to Atlético Madrid.One place and three points above Deportivo are fellow Galicians, Celta Vigo, who imploded in the local derby before the international break, losing 3-1 to Deportivo, and are having to play the next four matches without top scorer, Iago Aspas, after the feisty forward decided to head-butt Carlos Marchena. The worry with Celta is that the stuffing may have been knocked out of them owing to the derby defeat.The latter scenario would potentially leave a spot free for a number of teams sniffing around the European places. Betis have had a troubled recent past due to a financial meltdown but a return to the big time would be an excellent reward for fans who have never stopped supporting the side. Getafe, on 42 points, have a chance to push on if the players can be motivated enough - always an issue at the club - whilst Rayo may want to keep on going, although a European campaign as well as a domestic one might be a disastrous idea for a club with very scant resources.Málaga's future is rather uncertain and dependent on how long the team's Champions League run continues - something that has put a dampener on the southern side's league form which has produced just two points from the last 12 available. There's also the matter of a ban from UEFA competitions from next season, a suspension currently being appealed through the Court of Arbitration for Sport. Success might give Málaga the motivation they need for a late push - possibly combined with a Champions League exit to Borussia Dortmund - but failure could see spirits drop.
No comments:
Post a Comment