Before the round – Trends on Spain La Liga (15-16/04)

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La Liga will feature several relegation six-pointers this weekend. Just nine points separate 10th-place Celta Vigo from 19th-place Espanyol in the race for La Liga survival.

It is do or die for several teams in the Spanish top flight.

Real Betis – Espanyol

Real Betis are not battling relegation. Instead, they are aiming for a top-four finish. Los Verdiblancos are sixth in the standings and six points off the top four. Espanyol, on the other hand, are 19th in the table and two points from safety.

Espanyol lost each of their last five games in La Liga. The team scored just five goals in each of those five matches. All five of Espanyol’s last five matches ended with over 2.5 goals.

Betis were beaten by Espanyol earlier this season, 1-0. It was Espanyol’s only win against Real Betis in their last six meetings. Los Verdiblancos to into the match losers of their last two La Liga matches.

• An unbeaten run at HT for Real Betis, consisting of 21 home matches marks their La Liga campaign.
• In RCD Espanyol's most recent 6 all competitions matches, both teams scored.
• Real Betis have won just 2 of their last 11 home matches in all competitions.
• In their last 33 away games in La Liga, RCD Espanyol have a poor record of just 4 wins.
• Prediction: Real Betis

Cadiz - Real Madrid

Real Madrid went unbeaten in five of their last six head-to-head games versus Cadiz. The Yellow Submarine were able to draw two of their last four fixtures versus Madrid in all competitions.

Cadiz are 14th ahead of round No 29. They are four points above the relegation zone. Cadiz went unbeaten in five of their last six La Liga matches, collecting nine points.

Real Madrid failed to win four of their last six La Liga matches. They lost two of their last three league games and are coming off a 3-2 loss to Villarreal. Los Blancos played Chelsea at home in midweek in the Champions League. They will need to rebound quickly for the trip to Cadiz.

• Cadiz CF have not been beaten in 10 of their 11 most recent home matches in La Liga.
• There have been over 2.5 goals in Real Madrid's last 4 La Liga games.
• Cadiz CF have lost just 1 of their last 6 matches in the league.
• In their last 3 games in all competitions, Real Madrid have scored at least twice.
• Prediction: Real Madrid

Girona – Elche

Elche are unbeaten in five of their last six matches in all competitions versus Girona. The Green Striped Ones are last in La Liga and set to play in La Liga 2 next season. Girona collected a 2-1 win over Elche earlier this season away from home. They are seeking a domestic double.

Girona are 11th in the standings with 35 points from 28 games. Los Rojiblancos are unbeaten in three straight matches, taking five points from nine on offer. Girona scored 42 goals while conceding 42 in 28 fixtures.

Elche are on a three-match losing streak in the league. No team has conceded more goals than Elche’s 57 this season. Elche have an away record of 1W-3D-10L.

• Girona FC have achieved just 2 wins of their last 16 games against Elche CF in all competitions.
• Elche CF are on a losing streak of 3 straight matches in all competitions.
• Girona FC's stats show they have won just 1 of their 7 most recent home clashes against Elche CF (all competitions).
• Elche CF reach an average of 0.88 goals scored in their away games (all competitions).
• Prediction: Girona

Valencia – Sevilla

Valencia and Sevilla will play a massive relegation six-pointer. These teams are traditionally at the opposite end of the table. However, this season, both are battling for their La Liga lives.

The last two meetings between Valencia and Sevilla in La Liga ended in 1-1 draws. Each of the last three games between the clubs saw both teams score. Valencia are 18th in the standings and two points from safety. Los Che are winless in their last three games in La Liga.

Sevilla are 13th and slowly beginning to move up the table. Los Rojiblancos are on their third manager of the season, as Jose Luis Mendilibar was hired in late March. Since arriving, Sevilla are unbeaten in back-to-back La Liga games. Sevilla will play Manchester United in the Europa League on Thursday night.

• Valencia CF's last 3 home games in the La Liga have been low-scoring, with under 2.5 goals scored.
• In Valencia CF's last 3 home all competitions games have been scored under 2.5 goals.
• Valencia CF have managed to defeat Sevilla FC in just 1 of their 9 most recent encounters in La Liga.
• Sevilla FC are on a poor run of just 1 wins in 8 away matches (all competitions).
• Prediction: Under 2.5 goals