The battle for the title might be a two-way affair, but the all-out scrap for survival has gifted us a no holds barred fist-fight between five clubs who will be holding no punches come 7pm on Sunday evening. Racing Santander, Real Valladolid, Tenerife, Malaga and even Xerez enter the final matchday with a real chance of starting next year in La Liga, but an equally real possibility of falling out the top flight. Three clubs will descend into 'hell', whilst two will celebrate a last-gasp escape from the jaws of La Segunda. What complicates matters a little more is than in Spain, a tie on points isn't decided by goal difference, but by the points earned in the games played against each other.
Currently Real Valladolid and Racing Santander are out of the relegation zone because in all the league games played between them, Tenerife and Malaga (imagine it as a mini-league), Valladolid and Racing have earned 8 points, with the rest all on 7. (Ignore my league table on the right, it's conveniently wrong). Then goal difference within that mini-league is taken into account and if the teams are still tied, on goal difference in the league overall. The final tiebreaker is the Fair Play League. Here is a slightly complicated look at what each team needs to do to stay up:
Currently Real Valladolid and Racing Santander are out of the relegation zone because in all the league games played between them, Tenerife and Malaga (imagine it as a mini-league), Valladolid and Racing have earned 8 points, with the rest all on 7. (Ignore my league table on the right, it's conveniently wrong). Then goal difference within that mini-league is taken into account and if the teams are still tied, on goal difference in the league overall. The final tiebreaker is the Fair Play League. Here is a slightly complicated look at what each team needs to do to stay up:
Real Valladolid (v Barcelona AWAY): If they win they are practically saved. In the case of a draw, they are down if two out of Malaga, Tenerife and Racing win. Lose and they need Xerez not to win and Racing, Tenerife and/or Malaga to lose.
Verdict: You're going down!
Malaga (v Real Madrid HOME): If they win they need one of Racing o Valladolid not to. In the event of a draw they need two out of Racing, Valladolid and Tenerife to lose OR for Valladolid to lose and Racing and Tenerife to draw. If they lose they will fall into La Segunda.
Verdict: You're going down!
Racing Santander (v Sporting Gijon HOME): If Racing win, they need two out of Valladolid, Malaga and Tenerife to not win. A draw and they need two out of Valladolid, Tenerife and Malaga to draw/lose. If Racing fall to defeat they need two of the rest to lose with even a Xerez victory not enough to relegate them.
Verdict: Lucky escape! (Rumour has it a dirty boardroom deal has already been struck with Sporting)
Tenerife (v Valencia AWAY): If they Tenerife win, they need both Malaga and Valladolid not to do so. To survive in the event of a draw they need two out of Malaga, Valladolid or Racing to lose. Lose and they drop down, regardless of what Xerez do.
Verdict: You're going down!
Xerez (v Osasuna AWAY): A modern day footballing miracle if they manage it. If Xerez beat Osasuna they need Malaga, Valladolid and one from Tenerife and Racing all to lose. If they don't win, they're down. Simple as.
Verdict: Miracle escape!