Osasuna, Deportivo, Getafe and Zaragoza struggle to avoid relegation in the final match of the Spanish League.
Barcelona, Real Madrid, Valencia and Villarreal have nothing to fight for in this last Liga's game, except for the personal goals of their players. The same applies for Hercules and Almeria, while the other fifteen Spanish squads chance their arms in this final game.
Athletic, Sevilla and Atletico have already secured a place in Europe next year, but the three of them are eager to avoid the seventh position and advance directly to the second stage of the Europea league.
Colchoneros' coach Quique Sanchez Flores plays his last game with Atletico, and this could be the end of the project los Rojiblancos have been building for the past few years. Aguero, De Gea and perhaps Forlan could be playing their last game for Atletico in Mallorca.
Real Sociedad vs Getafe and Levante vs Zaragoza take on each other with much more than three points at stake. The loser could face direct relegation, while a victory will be enough for any of them to secure the permanence.
Who will join Almeria and Hercules in the Liga Adelante next year?
The last round of the Spanish league kicks off as Liga's champion Barcelona visits Malaga. Both Pep Guardiola and Manuel Pellegrini have already reached their goals for the season, but that does not make this clash any less exciting for Malaga's followers this Saturday in La Rosaleda.
"Having already reached our goal, we can now relax and enjoy this game. This is an excellent opportunity, Barcelona has already won La Liga, and the points mean nothing to them. We'll try to make things difficult for them, as we always do" said Malaga's midfielder Apoño before Pep Guardiola's Cule visit La Rosaleda.
This is the Barcelona's last performance before taking on Manchester United at the Champions League final on May 28th. Pep Guardiola could repeat an alternative formation as he saves his fittest players for next week's visit to Wembley.
Dutch international Ibrahim Afellay finishes the season in excellent form. He fits in Guardiola's scheme perfectly, and his partnership with Lionel Messi, Daniel Alves and Pedro has already proven its deadly efficiency.
Javier Mascherano is likely to stay in the back line. The versatility of the Argentinean has saved Guardiola many times, but Barcelona's coach could also choose for Carles Puyol and Gabriel Milito in the starting eleven, so both defenders can win minutes before May 28th
Copa del Rey Champion Real Madrid hosts Roberto Olabe's Almeria in La Liga's final match day. The three points are merely symbolic, for there's nothing Almeria can do to abandon the bottom position. Cristiano Ronaldo needs two goals to become La Liga's historic top scorer.
Diego Alves, Carlos Luna and Pablo Piatti could be playing their last game for Almeria. Olabe's goalkeeper joins Valencia in the summer, while Luna and Piatti are also looking forward to stay in the Primera Division for another season.
Olabe misses winger Michel for this week's visit to the Santiago Bernabeu. "It's always complicated to face Real Madrid. The solidarity of the team has stimulated their unique way of playing" said Almeria's coach.
Real Madrid looks forward to finish the season as the top scorer in Spain, with 94 goals in 37 games, two more than Barcelona. "Cristiano Ronaldo has broken a new record with Real Madrid, and we're all very pleased with that. He deserves the Ballon D'or" said Merengues' striker Gonzalo Higuain.
Can Almeria's defenders stop Cristiano Ronaldo's hunger for glory at the Bernabeu?
David Barral and Nacho Castro lead Sporting Gijon towards an important victory six months ago at the Molinon. Hercules says goodbye to the Primera Division this Saturday in Alicante, and Miroslav Djukic wants to secure a final victory in La Liga.
Hercules surprised everyone in its first game away back in September, when former team's coach Esteban Vigo rescued a major victory at the Camp Nou in the second round.
Hercules' disappointing performance in the second half of the Spanish league (Djukic obtained a single point in the last four Liga matches) lets us better understand the formidable form of Manolo Preciado's Sportinguistas.
The three points could take Sporting to the 8th position, as long as Sevilla defeats Espanyol in Cornella-El-Prat. This could be Kiko Femenia's last game with Hercules.
"If it was up to me, I would stay here for many years. But if I have to go, if the team needs the money then I will go. They haven't said anything yet, but I know they are need that" said the young Herculean promise.
Espanyol looks forward to celebrate a third consecutive victory against Sevilla in Cornella-El-Prat. Espanyol's coach Mauricio Pochettino misses David García, Raúl Baena, Javi Márquez, Aldo Duscher and Carlos Kameni due to injuries for one of the hottest matches in the final round.
The three points could secure the fifth position for Gregorio Manzano's Palanganas. "Sevilla qualified for an European competition for eighth consecutive time. I believe we reached a goal, though we fought until the last minute for another" said Sevilla's coach. Striker Frederic Kanouté misses the game, and his absence will greatly undermine Nervionenses' firepower.
Espanyol defeated Sevilla back in the first half of the tournament at the Sanchez Pizjuan thanks to Jose Callejon's double. Espanyol's striker Pablo Osvaldo is slowly recovering his level and will most surely keep Sevilla's goalkeeper Javi Varas constantly busy.
Gary Medel, Koffi Romaric and Alejandro Alfaro will lead Sevilla's attack from the wings, taking full advantage of their unchallenged speed. Will this be enough to stop Espanyol from celebrating another victory in Cornella-El-Prat?
Only a victory can save Zaragoza from the relegation. Javier Aguirre's Maños visit Levante in a decisive six-pointer for the bottom fight, while Levante wants to confirm its superiority with another victory at the Ciutat de Valencia.
Zaragoza is the only squad that depends only on themselves to secure their future in the Primera Division. Occupying the 18th position with 42 points, a draw could also be enough for Aguirre's boys to maintain the category, but only with some assistance from their neighbors.
Argentinean goalkeeper Leo Franco will be guarding Zaragoza's posts, and he will need to be extremely careful to avoid becoming yet another victim of Levante's top striker Felipe Caicedo.
Luis Garcia's Levante cannot concede the full scoring against such a direct rival for the category. Levante misses Xisco Nadal, Juanlu, Asier Del Horno and Nano. "We believe salvation will be ours. We're not arrogant, but the season is at stake and we need to show that" said Aguirre right before this clash.
Zaragoza recovers defender Carlos Diogo and Toni Doblas, who could have recovered from their injuries just in time for this final clash. Few games this week will have such impact on the future of the Spanish league as this one, who will claim the three points?
Villarreal travels to the Reyno de Navarra to lock horns with Osasuna. Juan Carlos Garrido's boys have already secure their place in the Champions League, and want to confirm their superiority with a victory in the final game of the season.
Osasuna, on the other hand, depends on a victory to secure their permanence in the Primera Division. On the 10 games Osasuna and Villarreal have played in the First Category of Spanish Football in Navarra, the hosts claimed five victories while Villarreal succeded only twice.
In the first half of the league, Villarreal celebrated a sound victory 4-2 at the Madrigal, but now the situation has taken a radical twist: Villarreal has already reached their goal for the season, while Osasuna will fight tooth and nail for a victory.
Uruguayan striker Walter Pandiani will play a major role in Osasuna's attack, though he'll have to overcome Villarreal's packed defense.
Villarreal and Osasuna shared points in the last game in Navarra. Santiago Cazorla opened the score for Garrido's Submarines close to the hour half, before Pandiani himself found the equalizer only minutes later.
Marcos Senna returns to Villarreal's starting squad, joining Borja Valero in the creative department. Can Osasuna celebrate another major victory at home and demonstrate they're meant to fight among Spain's best?
Joaquin Caparros' Lions want to put the ribbon to a rather successful season this Saturday in Santander. Athletic wants to secure its presence in the next edition of the Europa league, something they can only obtain with a positive result.
Racing has already secured its permanence in the Primera Division, but team's coach Marcelino Garcia Toral wants to celebrate his success with a major victory at the Cantabrian derby.
Spanish international Fernando Llorente is only one goal away from becoming the top Spanish striker in La Liga. David Villa and Antonio Negredo stand one goal away, and Llorente wants another title in what could be his last game with Athletic. The visitors want to celebrate a fifth consecutive victory against Racing in the Primera Division.
Caparros misses Markel Susaeta and Koikili Lertxundi, both of them ruled out due to injuries. Marcelino Garcia Toral has not confirmed Racing's formation, but we expect Markus Rosemberg and Giovanni Dos Santos as the referents of the attack, with Pedro Munitis and Kennedy Bakircioglu advancing from the wings.
Two highly offensive squads meet each other at the Riazor, can Athletic ruin the season for Racing in Santander?
A victory is mandatory for Miguel Angel Lotina's Deportivo, as the relegation line stands only one point below their feet. Valencia visits the Riazor looking forward to celebrate their first victory in seven years in A Coruña, while Lotina has never defeated Valencia before as coach.
Except for Vicente Guaita, Pablo Hernandez, Vicente, Miguel and Chori Dominguez, Unai Emery travels with his fittest players to demonstrate what the Che squad is capable of. Deportivo's coach is likely to repeat the same formation that defeated Athletic and drew with Barcelona at the Camp Nou.
"My squads have obtained two promotions in the last match, many permanences, one UEFA qualification and a relegation too, something that will be forever tattooed in my head" said Lotina right after this clash. Lotina trusts Juan Carlos Valeron and Andres Guardado to lead Deportivo's attack, associating with Riki in the last meters of the field.
Deportivo needs the three points to obtain the permanence for their own merits, do Lotina's boys have what it takes to defeat Valencia, one of La Liga's deadliest opponents?
Michael Laudrup's Mallorca could face relegation if the Bermellon squad fails to defeat Atletico this Saturday at the Iberostar Stadium. Atletico has confirmed its presence in the next edition of the Europa League, and their goal for this final game is to claim La Liga's fifth position.
A victory of the visitors will deliver a fatal blow to Mallorca, if Getafe, Deportivo and Osasuna claim at least one point, and Zaragoza defeats Levante. For such a vital clash, Laudrup recovers Chori Dominguez, Jonathan de Guzmán and Sergio Tejera, while Atletico's coach Quique Sanchez Flores confirmed Diego Forlan and Jose Antonio Reyes will not be part of the starting eleven in its last game as Colchonero's coach.
"I want to leave with Atletico in Europe. I wish the best to my successor, and I want him to enjoy the tranquility I didn't have when I came here" said Sanchez Flores. This might be the last opportunity to watch Sergio Aguero and David De Gea wearing Atletico's shirt. Aguero is only two goals away from scoring his 100th goal with Atletico.
Atletico should take advantage of Mallorca's desperate situation to secure the three points, can Laudrup's Bermellones defy Atletico and secure the three points?
Another decisive pointer for the relegation fight, a draw might be enough for Real Sociedad to secure the category, while Michel's Getafe cannot concede a single point to Martin Lasarte's Errealas.
Real Sociedad has won its last three games in Anoeta, and prepares to celebrate the permanence in the Primera Division as Getafe visits San Sebastian. Getafe's coach misses Adrian Colunga in the attack, depending on Dani Parejo's form to rescue a major victory in Anoeta.
Let's not forget only a few months ago, both Real Sociedad and Getafe were fighting for the last European qualifying place. Their disappointing performance in the last semester doomed them to the relegation fight. In fact, Getafe has not obtained a single victory away in 2011, a curse they need to break the sooner the better.
Raul Tamudo will be leading Txuri-Urdin's attack instead of Joseba Llorente, though the latter can provide new attack perspectives if given an opportunity on the field. Michel recovers winger Miguel Torres, who'll join Pedro Rios on the right wing.
The winner takes all this Saturday in San Sebastian, who will succeed?
Athletic, Sevilla and Atletico have already secured a place in Europe next year, but the three of them are eager to avoid the seventh position and advance directly to the second stage of the Europea league.
Colchoneros' coach Quique Sanchez Flores plays his last game with Atletico, and this could be the end of the project los Rojiblancos have been building for the past few years. Aguero, De Gea and perhaps Forlan could be playing their last game for Atletico in Mallorca.
Real Sociedad vs Getafe and Levante vs Zaragoza take on each other with much more than three points at stake. The loser could face direct relegation, while a victory will be enough for any of them to secure the permanence.
Who will join Almeria and Hercules in the Liga Adelante next year?
The last round of the Spanish league kicks off as Liga's champion Barcelona visits Malaga. Both Pep Guardiola and Manuel Pellegrini have already reached their goals for the season, but that does not make this clash any less exciting for Malaga's followers this Saturday in La Rosaleda.
"Having already reached our goal, we can now relax and enjoy this game. This is an excellent opportunity, Barcelona has already won La Liga, and the points mean nothing to them. We'll try to make things difficult for them, as we always do" said Malaga's midfielder Apoño before Pep Guardiola's Cule visit La Rosaleda.
This is the Barcelona's last performance before taking on Manchester United at the Champions League final on May 28th. Pep Guardiola could repeat an alternative formation as he saves his fittest players for next week's visit to Wembley.
Dutch international Ibrahim Afellay finishes the season in excellent form. He fits in Guardiola's scheme perfectly, and his partnership with Lionel Messi, Daniel Alves and Pedro has already proven its deadly efficiency.
Javier Mascherano is likely to stay in the back line. The versatility of the Argentinean has saved Guardiola many times, but Barcelona's coach could also choose for Carles Puyol and Gabriel Milito in the starting eleven, so both defenders can win minutes before May 28th
Copa del Rey Champion Real Madrid hosts Roberto Olabe's Almeria in La Liga's final match day. The three points are merely symbolic, for there's nothing Almeria can do to abandon the bottom position. Cristiano Ronaldo needs two goals to become La Liga's historic top scorer.
Diego Alves, Carlos Luna and Pablo Piatti could be playing their last game for Almeria. Olabe's goalkeeper joins Valencia in the summer, while Luna and Piatti are also looking forward to stay in the Primera Division for another season.
Olabe misses winger Michel for this week's visit to the Santiago Bernabeu. "It's always complicated to face Real Madrid. The solidarity of the team has stimulated their unique way of playing" said Almeria's coach.
Real Madrid looks forward to finish the season as the top scorer in Spain, with 94 goals in 37 games, two more than Barcelona. "Cristiano Ronaldo has broken a new record with Real Madrid, and we're all very pleased with that. He deserves the Ballon D'or" said Merengues' striker Gonzalo Higuain.
Can Almeria's defenders stop Cristiano Ronaldo's hunger for glory at the Bernabeu?
David Barral and Nacho Castro lead Sporting Gijon towards an important victory six months ago at the Molinon. Hercules says goodbye to the Primera Division this Saturday in Alicante, and Miroslav Djukic wants to secure a final victory in La Liga.
Hercules surprised everyone in its first game away back in September, when former team's coach Esteban Vigo rescued a major victory at the Camp Nou in the second round.
Hercules' disappointing performance in the second half of the Spanish league (Djukic obtained a single point in the last four Liga matches) lets us better understand the formidable form of Manolo Preciado's Sportinguistas.
The three points could take Sporting to the 8th position, as long as Sevilla defeats Espanyol in Cornella-El-Prat. This could be Kiko Femenia's last game with Hercules.
"If it was up to me, I would stay here for many years. But if I have to go, if the team needs the money then I will go. They haven't said anything yet, but I know they are need that" said the young Herculean promise.
Espanyol looks forward to celebrate a third consecutive victory against Sevilla in Cornella-El-Prat. Espanyol's coach Mauricio Pochettino misses David García, Raúl Baena, Javi Márquez, Aldo Duscher and Carlos Kameni due to injuries for one of the hottest matches in the final round.
The three points could secure the fifth position for Gregorio Manzano's Palanganas. "Sevilla qualified for an European competition for eighth consecutive time. I believe we reached a goal, though we fought until the last minute for another" said Sevilla's coach. Striker Frederic Kanouté misses the game, and his absence will greatly undermine Nervionenses' firepower.
Espanyol defeated Sevilla back in the first half of the tournament at the Sanchez Pizjuan thanks to Jose Callejon's double. Espanyol's striker Pablo Osvaldo is slowly recovering his level and will most surely keep Sevilla's goalkeeper Javi Varas constantly busy.
Gary Medel, Koffi Romaric and Alejandro Alfaro will lead Sevilla's attack from the wings, taking full advantage of their unchallenged speed. Will this be enough to stop Espanyol from celebrating another victory in Cornella-El-Prat?
Only a victory can save Zaragoza from the relegation. Javier Aguirre's Maños visit Levante in a decisive six-pointer for the bottom fight, while Levante wants to confirm its superiority with another victory at the Ciutat de Valencia.
Zaragoza is the only squad that depends only on themselves to secure their future in the Primera Division. Occupying the 18th position with 42 points, a draw could also be enough for Aguirre's boys to maintain the category, but only with some assistance from their neighbors.
Argentinean goalkeeper Leo Franco will be guarding Zaragoza's posts, and he will need to be extremely careful to avoid becoming yet another victim of Levante's top striker Felipe Caicedo.
Luis Garcia's Levante cannot concede the full scoring against such a direct rival for the category. Levante misses Xisco Nadal, Juanlu, Asier Del Horno and Nano. "We believe salvation will be ours. We're not arrogant, but the season is at stake and we need to show that" said Aguirre right before this clash.
Zaragoza recovers defender Carlos Diogo and Toni Doblas, who could have recovered from their injuries just in time for this final clash. Few games this week will have such impact on the future of the Spanish league as this one, who will claim the three points?
Villarreal travels to the Reyno de Navarra to lock horns with Osasuna. Juan Carlos Garrido's boys have already secure their place in the Champions League, and want to confirm their superiority with a victory in the final game of the season.
Osasuna, on the other hand, depends on a victory to secure their permanence in the Primera Division. On the 10 games Osasuna and Villarreal have played in the First Category of Spanish Football in Navarra, the hosts claimed five victories while Villarreal succeded only twice.
In the first half of the league, Villarreal celebrated a sound victory 4-2 at the Madrigal, but now the situation has taken a radical twist: Villarreal has already reached their goal for the season, while Osasuna will fight tooth and nail for a victory.
Uruguayan striker Walter Pandiani will play a major role in Osasuna's attack, though he'll have to overcome Villarreal's packed defense.
Villarreal and Osasuna shared points in the last game in Navarra. Santiago Cazorla opened the score for Garrido's Submarines close to the hour half, before Pandiani himself found the equalizer only minutes later.
Marcos Senna returns to Villarreal's starting squad, joining Borja Valero in the creative department. Can Osasuna celebrate another major victory at home and demonstrate they're meant to fight among Spain's best?
Joaquin Caparros' Lions want to put the ribbon to a rather successful season this Saturday in Santander. Athletic wants to secure its presence in the next edition of the Europa league, something they can only obtain with a positive result.
Racing has already secured its permanence in the Primera Division, but team's coach Marcelino Garcia Toral wants to celebrate his success with a major victory at the Cantabrian derby.
Spanish international Fernando Llorente is only one goal away from becoming the top Spanish striker in La Liga. David Villa and Antonio Negredo stand one goal away, and Llorente wants another title in what could be his last game with Athletic. The visitors want to celebrate a fifth consecutive victory against Racing in the Primera Division.
Caparros misses Markel Susaeta and Koikili Lertxundi, both of them ruled out due to injuries. Marcelino Garcia Toral has not confirmed Racing's formation, but we expect Markus Rosemberg and Giovanni Dos Santos as the referents of the attack, with Pedro Munitis and Kennedy Bakircioglu advancing from the wings.
Two highly offensive squads meet each other at the Riazor, can Athletic ruin the season for Racing in Santander?
A victory is mandatory for Miguel Angel Lotina's Deportivo, as the relegation line stands only one point below their feet. Valencia visits the Riazor looking forward to celebrate their first victory in seven years in A Coruña, while Lotina has never defeated Valencia before as coach.
Except for Vicente Guaita, Pablo Hernandez, Vicente, Miguel and Chori Dominguez, Unai Emery travels with his fittest players to demonstrate what the Che squad is capable of. Deportivo's coach is likely to repeat the same formation that defeated Athletic and drew with Barcelona at the Camp Nou.
"My squads have obtained two promotions in the last match, many permanences, one UEFA qualification and a relegation too, something that will be forever tattooed in my head" said Lotina right after this clash. Lotina trusts Juan Carlos Valeron and Andres Guardado to lead Deportivo's attack, associating with Riki in the last meters of the field.
Deportivo needs the three points to obtain the permanence for their own merits, do Lotina's boys have what it takes to defeat Valencia, one of La Liga's deadliest opponents?
Michael Laudrup's Mallorca could face relegation if the Bermellon squad fails to defeat Atletico this Saturday at the Iberostar Stadium. Atletico has confirmed its presence in the next edition of the Europa League, and their goal for this final game is to claim La Liga's fifth position.
A victory of the visitors will deliver a fatal blow to Mallorca, if Getafe, Deportivo and Osasuna claim at least one point, and Zaragoza defeats Levante. For such a vital clash, Laudrup recovers Chori Dominguez, Jonathan de Guzmán and Sergio Tejera, while Atletico's coach Quique Sanchez Flores confirmed Diego Forlan and Jose Antonio Reyes will not be part of the starting eleven in its last game as Colchonero's coach.
"I want to leave with Atletico in Europe. I wish the best to my successor, and I want him to enjoy the tranquility I didn't have when I came here" said Sanchez Flores. This might be the last opportunity to watch Sergio Aguero and David De Gea wearing Atletico's shirt. Aguero is only two goals away from scoring his 100th goal with Atletico.
Atletico should take advantage of Mallorca's desperate situation to secure the three points, can Laudrup's Bermellones defy Atletico and secure the three points?
Another decisive pointer for the relegation fight, a draw might be enough for Real Sociedad to secure the category, while Michel's Getafe cannot concede a single point to Martin Lasarte's Errealas.
Real Sociedad has won its last three games in Anoeta, and prepares to celebrate the permanence in the Primera Division as Getafe visits San Sebastian. Getafe's coach misses Adrian Colunga in the attack, depending on Dani Parejo's form to rescue a major victory in Anoeta.
Let's not forget only a few months ago, both Real Sociedad and Getafe were fighting for the last European qualifying place. Their disappointing performance in the last semester doomed them to the relegation fight. In fact, Getafe has not obtained a single victory away in 2011, a curse they need to break the sooner the better.
Raul Tamudo will be leading Txuri-Urdin's attack instead of Joseba Llorente, though the latter can provide new attack perspectives if given an opportunity on the field. Michel recovers winger Miguel Torres, who'll join Pedro Rios on the right wing.
The winner takes all this Saturday in San Sebastian, who will succeed?
