Before the Round – Trends on Spain La Liga (04/06)

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The La Liga relegation race goes down to the final day. Just one relegation place is left to determine and six teams are battling to avoid it.

Real Valladolid are 18th but could emerge from the bottom three. Meanwhile, any one of Cadiz, Getafe, Valencia, Almeria, or Celta Vigo could go down.

Elche – Cadiz

Elche were relegated with several games left to play. On Sunday, the Green Striped Ones could spoil Cadiz’s season. A loss or draw for Cadiz and results going against them could see the Yellow Submarine go down.

The reverse fixture ended 1-1 between the teams. Cadiz are unbeaten in back-to-back games against Elche. The Yellow Submarine won two of their last three games and are coming off a 1-0 win over Celta Vigo.

Elche are unbeaten in four straight games. The pressure of the relegation race was lifted once relegation was confirmed. Since then, Elche have been improved. The Green Striped Ones took 11 points from the last 18 points on offer.

• Elche CF have won just 5 of their last 37 league games.
• Cadiz CF are on a run of 3 consecutive away HT/FT defeats in all competitions.
• Under 2.5 goals have been scored in the 4 most recent all competitions games of Elche CF.
• There have been under 2.5 goals in Cadiz CF's last 4 all competitions games.
• Prediction: Both Teams to Score

Espanyol – Almeria

Espanyol’s relegation back to Segunda was confirmed a week ago. The Parakeets can take Almeria down with them. A win for Espanyol or a draw and results going against Almeria would see both sides in the Segunda next term.

Almeria are winless in back-to-back La Liga matches. They are just one point ahead of the bottom three. Almeria drew with Real Valladolid last weekend. The point could ultimately save them from the drop.

Espanyol were beaten 3-1 by Almeria earlier in the season. The Parakeets failed to win their last two games versus Los Rojoblancos. Despite being relegated already, Espanyol are unbeaten in three straight La Liga matches.

• RCD Espanyol have won just 2 of their last 14 matches in all competitions.
• The most recent games of UD Almería consist of 3 consecutive away defeats in all competitions.
• RCD Espanyol have managed to score 2+ goals in their last 5 matches in all competitions.
• UD Almería have achieved just 1 wins in their 20 most recent away games in all competitions.
• Prediction: Both Teams to Score

Mallorca - Rayo Vallecano

Mallorca and Rayo Vallecano split their last six matches down the middle with three wins apiece. Neither side is fighting relegation. Mallorca and Rayo will finish comfortably in midtable.

Rayo Vallecano are coming off a 2-1 win over Villarreal. It ended a three-game losing streak. The Red Sashes had high hopes of qualifying for Europe. However, due to poor form in the middle of the season, those hopes were dashed.

Mallorca claimed a 2-0 win at Rayo Vallecano earlier in the campaign. The Islanders won their last two games versus Rayo. Mallorca picked up just seven points from the last six games. They go into the weekend fresh off a 3-0 loss at Barcelona.

• Real Mallorca have not been beaten in their last 6 straight home clashes in La Liga.
• There have been 4 staight away losses in La Liga for Rayo Vallecano.
• Real Mallorca are unbeaten in 12 of their last 13 home matches in La Liga.
• Rayo Vallecano are on a HT/FT losing streak consisting of 3 straight away clashes in all competitions.
• Prediction: Mallorca

Real Valladolid – Getafe

Real Valladolid must win against Getafe to save their La Liga status. The Violets are 18th and one point off safety. Based on the poor play at the bottom of the La Liga standings, the teams above them are likely to drop points. Can Valladolid get the points needed to stay up?

This is a six-point affair, as Getafe are two points ahead of Valladolid. A win would see Real Valladolid leapfrog Getafe in the standings. The Violets went to Getafe a won a five-goal thriller 3-2 earlier this season. Valladolid are unbeaten in back-to-back games.

Getafe’s form has picked up in recent weeks. They are unbeaten in three straight games and go into Sunday with back-to-back wins. A win or draw would guarantee Getafe a place in La Liga next season.

• Real Valladolid have won only 1 of their last 7 all competitions matches.
• Getafe CF have been defeated by Real Valladolid in their last 3 games in the league.
• Real Valladolid score an average of 0.89 goals in their La Liga matches.
• In their last 42 away games in all competitions, Getafe CF have a poor record of just 7 wins.
• Prediction: Under 2.5 goals