Before the Round – Trends on Spain La Liga (03-04/05)

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La Liga will present a midweek set of matches, as the battle for survival heats up. Seven teams are in the relegation mix with eight points separating 13th-place Celta Vigo and 19th-place Getafe.

Meanwhile, at the other end of the standings, Atletico Madrid are aiming to solidify their place in the top four.

Atletico Madrid – Cadiz

Atletico Madrid lost 3-2 away to Cadiz earlier this season when the teams met in October. It was a time in which Atletico were struggling on both domestic and European stages. Now, Diego Simeone’s team is playing well, as they seek a third straight La Liga victory.

Cadiz are 14th in the standings and battling against relegation. The Yellow Submarine are one of the seven teams in the relegation mix, as they are four points above 18th-place Espanyol. Cadiz took just seven points from their last 18 points on offer. They did win against Valencia 2-1 at the weekend.

Atletico took 15 points from the last six matches in the league. They outscored opponents 13-6 during that run. Atletico scored five times against Real Valladolid on Sunday night.

• Atlético Madrid are unbeaten in all of their last 8 home matches in La Liga.
• All 4 of the most recent away all competitions matches of Cadiz CF have resulted in draws at half time.
• There are no losses for Atlético Madrid in 25 of their most recent 28 home games (all competitions).
• Under 2.5 goals have been scored in 4 of Cadiz's last 6 encounters in all competitions.
• Prediction: Atlético Madrid

Getafe - Celta Vigo

Getafe are fresh off a 1-0 loss to Espanyol in a relegation six-pointer. On Tuesday, Los Azulones will face Celta Vigo in another six-point relegation fixture. The teams drew the reverse fixture 1-1 at the Estadio de Balaidos. Three of the last six matches between the clubs ended in draws.

Celta Vigo are 13th in the standings, eight points ahead of the relegation zone. With six games left to play, anything can still happen. Celta took just five points from the last six matches in the division. The Sky Blues lost 3-1 to Villarreal at the weekend.

• Getafe CF haven't suffered a loss to Celta de Vigo in 9 of their most recent 11 home clashes in all competitions.
• Celta de Vigo have won just 1 of their last 6 away matches in all competitions.
• The average number of goals scored by Getafe CF is 0.91 for their matches in La Liga.
• Celta de Vigo's latest record consists of 3 straight away losses at half time in La Liga.
• Prediction: Under 2.5 goals

Girona – Mallorca

Girona and Mallorca drew 1-1 in their previous fixture this season. Both teams look safe from relegation, but a poor run of results could see one or both sides sucked into the survival fight.

Girona are 10th in the standings and 10 points above the relegation zone. Eight points separate Los Rojiblancos from the top six. Girona took 11 points from the last 18 points on offer in La Liga. They scored 10 goals and conceded just six times.

Mallorca picked up eight points from the last six matches but are coming off a 3-1 loss to Atletico Madrid last time out. Mallorca lost four of their last five road matches. The Islanders scored just 30 goals in their opening 31 fixtures. Girona, on the other hand, scored 48 times.

• Girona FC are on a run of 3 consecutive home wins in their domestic league.
• Real Mallorca's performance has been disappointing of late, as they have won just 1 of their 11 most recent away all competitions clashes.
• Girona FC are undefeated in 10 of their last 12 home La Liga games.
• Real Mallorca are unbeaten in 5 of their last 6 all competitions games.
• Prediction: Draw

Rayo Vallecano - Real Valladolid

Rayo Vallecano eked out a 1-0 win over Real Valladolid earlier this season. The Red Sashes are looking for consistency, as they make a late push for European qualification. Valladolid are four points ahead of the relegation zone and coming off two straight losses.

Real Valladolid took seven points from the last six matches. They are coming off a home 5-2 loss to Atletico Madrid. Valladolid were outscored 17-9 in their last six fixtures.

Rayo Vallecano didn’t do any better in their last six matches. The Red Sashes picked up seven points from the last six fixtures, scoring seven goals and conceding 11. Rayo are on a two-match winning streak in the league at home.

• Rayo Vallecano are in an unfortunate period, having won just 2 of their last 12 matches in all competitions.
• Real Valladolid have won just 2 of their last 12 away league games.
• In their last 7 home games in all competitions, Rayo Vallecano have recorded 6 undefeated encounters.
• In Real Valladolid's last 3 away all competitions games have been scored over 2.5 goals.
• Prediction: Rayo Vallecano