La Liga relegation picture: Granada have nothing to play for vs. Barça
Granada will have nothing to play for when they host Barcelona next weekend in the final round of La Liga fixtures. The title is on the line for Luis Enrique’s side, but Granada secured their status as a Primera Division side for another season with a 4-1 win at Sevilla on Sunday. They now have 39 points and are safe from relegation.
Therefore, they will be able to play with a lot less pressure, as will Deportivo La Coruna, who host Real Madrid. They were still not safe ahead of the penultimate round of fixtures, but they beat Villarreal 2-0 and are now mathematically assured of their place in La Liga next season. Espanyol, too, are safe and there will be more Catalan derbies to come next season.
Who’s not safe?
Things didn’t go as well for Rayo Vallecano, Getafe and Sporting Gijon, though. Two of those three teams will join already relegated Levante in the second tier of Spanish football next season.
Rayo’s defeat at Real Sociedad leaves them on 35 points, while the draw between Getafe and Sporting means both sides have 36 points - the latter have the better head-to-head record, though. Next weekend, Rayo host Levante, Sporting are at home to Villarreal and Getafe travel to Real Betis.
