FCBARCELONA.CAT

08.05.2010 11:51

Spanish League Preview Week 37

Nick Bedson

With plenty still to play for, all Saturday’s La Liga games will kick off at 21-00 this weekend and although Barca fans will be glued to the TV to see the results in Seville and Madrid, there’s something at stake in all the other games too.

Real Madrid are at home to Bilbao who are one of the three Spanish teams to beat them in the league this season. The Basques saw off Ronaldo and co. 1-0 in January and their boss Joaquin Caparros reckons: “we are all fired up for this one and we’re going to make it tough for Madrid”. Bilbao still have a mathematical chance to take a Europa League spot, though their recent poor results – three defeats, three draws and just one win in their last seven games-mean they need other results to go their way. Mallorca fans will also be willing Barca to a win in Seville as they sit a point behind them in fifth place ahead of their trip to Deportivo, one of four teams alongside Valencia, Osasuna and Atletico Madrid who have nothing left to play for this season.

Europa League and relegation

Getafe and Villarreal are fighting for the second Europa League spot, with the Madrid team at home to Malaga and Villarreal entertaining neighbours Valencia, who are guaranteed third spot behind the big two. For Malaga, this has to be a must win game and ex-Barca keeper Fransesc Arnau has been brought in to play his first game of the season. Malaga are just a point above Tenerife, who look to bounce back after their defeat in the Nou Camp when they entertain Almeria, who need just one point for safety. Valladolid are two adrift of Tenerife and have to get a win against Racing tonight. Those three points and a win for Tenerife could send Racing down into the bottom three themselves, whilst a win would ensure another season in the top flight.

Xerez play what seems likely to be their last home game in this league for a while when they play Zaragoza, who need a point themselves to be safe, as do Espanyol who entertain Osasuna, whilst Sporting would make sure they stay in the division with a win at home to Atletico Madrid.