Features
SAT 16.05.2015
The Liga BBVA has reached the climactic point of its season, when teams are vying to secure the targets that they set themselves at the start of the campaign. That’s the position FC Barcelona, Real Madrid, Atlético Madrid, Sevilla FC and Valencia CF are in, with some battling for the championship and others fighting over the places that bring access to European competition.
Two in it for the title
Barça and Madrid are the two clubs who can claim the Liga BBVA title. Luis Enrique’s men have a four-point lead over their rivals, so a win against Atlético on matchday 37 would see them seal the Spanish championship. It’s a taller order for the side coached by Carlo Ancelotti, who meet RCD Espanyol and Getafe CF, and need to take four more points over the last two games than los azulgranas, who host RC Deportivo on the final day. Should the pair finish level, Real Madrid would be crowned champions as they have the edge in their head-to-head record.
Three teams in the shake-up for third and fourth
Atlético are the best-placed club to secure third place in 2014/15. Diego Pablo Simeone’s side are after one victory from their last two games of the season to mathematically ensure third place and seal direct entry to the group stage of the UEFA Champions League. They take on Barcelona in week 37 and on the last day face Granada, a team bidding to avoid relegation.
Meanwhile, Valencia are the other outfit who could take third spot, if they take four more points on the last two matchdays than an Atlético side they have the head-to-head advantage over. RC Celta and UD Almería are the opposition for los ché, who are looking to clinch UEFA Champions League football for the first time since the 2012/13 season.
Also in this top-four tussle are Unai Emery’s Sevilla, who on 27 May will compete in the final of the UEFA Europa League. Los hispalenses are fifth with 70 points, and can reach fourth spot if they take four more points than Valencia from the last two Liga BBVA matches. Almería and Málaga CF will be the Andalusians’ opponents.
Villarreal into the Europa League
Completing the list of participants in continental competition for the coming season are Villarreal CF. Under Marcelino García Toral, their haul of 57 points means that they are assured of Europa League participation next term. The club are deserving of particular mention, having bounced back from life in the Liga Adelante two seasons ago to take their place on the European stage for a second consecutive year.
© LALIGA - 2015