We’ve reached the final day of the La Liga season and unlike that snoozer in England, we’ve got plenty going on that’s worthy of your attention. A Champions League spot is still up for grabs along with a Europa League spot. No one has been relegated and four teams will go into their matches with a shot at surviving or slipping to the second division next season.
La Liga 2013, Week 38 preview and fixtures: Spain readies for a wild final day of the season
Who will earn the final Champions and Europa League places? What three teams will be relegated? There are questions to be answered on the season’s final day and big names to say goodbye to as well.
TNT loves drama...so does La Liga.
All games are being played on Saturday, June 1st. Kick-off for the matches is set for 3:00 p.m. ET (21:00 CET) unless otherwise specified.
You can read all the details on how the European spots can be claimed along with how the four teams fighting relegation could find themselves out of the top flight here.
Alright, on on to the matches.
Who will claim fourth place and a Champions League spot?
Deportivo La Coruña vs. Real Sociedad
Easily the most interesting match of the day purely on implications. Real are needing a victory to potentially claim fourth place while Depor need a win to ensure their safety for next season. This is the definition of pressure, where every goal will be celebrated widely by one fan base as the other side will be left to chew their nails in fear. A draw doesn’t help Real at all but it could be enough for Depor.
Sevilla vs. Valencia
Sevilla's season is effectively done but they'll have one last chance to affect the table as they host Valencia. Los Che are a win away from the Champions League and will be looking to win their fourth straight match. Valencia haven't lost in May and they've yet to even concede a goal either. It's hard to see them slipping up at the finish line but anything can happen when everything is one the line. José Antonio Reyes is serving a red card suspension for Sevilla.
Who will be relegated?
Celta Vigo vs. Espanyol
After two straight losses Celta looked as good as done going into last weekend's game against Real Valladolid. Abel Resino's side responded though with a huge 2-0 win that moved them within a point of safety. If things break right, the door may be open for Celta to make a final day escape. Celta will be without the injured Mario Bermejo and Chu-Young Park.
Mallorca vs. Real Valladolid
Mallorca need the most help to escape relegation but their first order of business is winning their game to at least give themselves a chance. Los Bermellones have picked up points in their last to games but they were easily defeated by Valladolid in their first meeting of the season.
Real Zaragoza vs. Atletico Madrid
Zaragoza will need a win and some help in order to escape relegation but their path is the easiest of the three teams currently in the drop zone. They hold the tiebreaker over Depor and therefore have a couple routes to saving their top flight lives. Atletico Madrid will say goodbye to striker Radamel Falcao who is set to leave the club to join AS Monaco in the summer.
Who will claim a Europa League spot?
Levante vs. Real Betis
Real Betis hold their fate in their hands, which is always the best place to be. A win or draw for the Béticos means they'll play in Europe next season while a loss opens the door for Rayo Vallecano. Betis defeated Levante 2-0 in their first meeting of the season. José Cañas and Mario are injured and out of the match for Betis.
Rayo Vallecano vs. Athletic Bilbao
Rayo must win and hope Betis lose otherwise they’ll finish 8th and our of Europe. That’s not a horrible thing of course, but everyone would like to finish a little bit higher.
The Rest
Real Madrid vs. Osasuna
(17:00 CET, 11:00 a.m. ET)
The only thing of note from this match is that it will be Jose Mourinho's final game in charge of Los Merengues.
Barcelona vs. Malaga
(19:00 CET, 1:00 p.m. ET)
Manuel Pellegrini says goodbye to Malaga with a final day meeting against this year’s champions.
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