La Liga Showdown: A weekend to stand up and be counted

Now the Atletico Madrid fans have left Neptune in peace, at least for a few days, it's time for the Liga showdown. Nothing has been decided at either end of the table with the Liga trophy, qualification for Europe and survival all up for grabs. It promises to be a frenetic finale to a memorable season. Whatever Zinedine Zidane and Manuel Pellegrini spout in the press, there will only be one league winner this season and you will be hard pushed to find a betting man laying any serious cash on Real Madrid. Frankly I'm surprised there have been no gushing declarations from CR9 predicting a glorious end to his first year in Spain. Even Sergio 'We'll win 3-0' Ramos seems resigned to finishing second. Barcelona have the simple task of needing a win against relegation-threatened Real Valladolid at home. I'll give that one an odds on. On saturday Sevilla and Mallorca will be hoping to claim the final Champions League position while Getafe and Villarreal will fight it out for 6th place and qualification for next years Europa League.

The fun and games at either end of the table then fire up on Sunday evening. Five teams no less will be scrapping for their lives as the relegation trapdoor prepares to lock shut. I can't remember a relegation D-day quite like it, since 1983 by all accounts. Safe to say some have got it easier than others. Real Madrid and Barcelona aren't quite the teams you would choose to face in these circumstances, so you have to feel a little sorry for poor old Malaga and Valladolid, who let's face it look doomed. Tenerife face a tough trip to the Mestalla, Racing host Sporting Gijon, while everyones second favourite team, Xerez, travel up to Pamplona to lock horns with Osasuna. Whatever happens there'll be some tears, some celebrations and we'll move on to the cup final before everyone settles down for the World Cup. I bloody love World Cup summers. Enjoy the weekend. 

La Liga relegation battle reaches dramatic climax: Three of five to go down

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:

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!

Agüero and Salvio join forces as Atletico defeat stubborn Tenerife (Highlights)

Atletico Madrid 3 - 1 Tenerife
(1-0) 11' Salvio, (2-0) 30' Salvio, (2-1) 61' Román, (3-1) 77' Agüero

Sergio Agüero has found himself a new friend. The two Argentinians Agüero and Salvio ripped Tenerife apart in a sazzling first half display that boded well for their midweek trip to Liverpool. Within half an hour Salvio had already chalked up two goals as Tenerife were torn apart by a rampant Atletico Madrid. With Forlán, Reyes and Simao also finding their form just at the right time, Quique has an embarrassment of riches at the top end of the field. Credit to Tenerife they stuck at it, and having pulled back a goal through Roman Martinez, they even had chances to level the match as Nino threatened briefly. Atletico weathered the storm with Sergio Agüero making sure of the win with little over ten minutes remaining. Forlan provided the pass and Agüero showed strength and composure to hold off the defender and sidefoot past Aragoneses. Not a bad way to prepare for Anfield. For Tenerife, another week stuck in the bottom three, as chances to pull themselves out of the abyss become fewer by the week.

Getafe 4 - 3 Sevilla
(1-0) 16' Adrian, (1-1) 33' Luis Fabiano, (1-2) 38' Kanoute, (2-2) 58' Pedro Leon, (2-3) 61' Luis Fabiano, (3-3) 75' Manu, (4-3) 93' Parejo

One of those matches that had absolutely everything, helped by some electric attacking football, clinical finishing and shocking defending. 31 shots on goal, 4 struck the woodwork, 7 flew in and one was an absolutely world class effort from Luis Fabiano. In short: Getafe take early lead, Sevilla fight back to take the lead having been severely under the cosh. Getafe equalise only for Luis Fabiano to score his second and put Sevilla infront once more. Getafe fight back a second time and after Frederic Kanoute was sent off went on to win thanks to a last gasp, re-taken penalty from Dani Parejo after Negredo had given the ball away in a truely unforgiveable manner. Thriller. The match also had implications for both races for Europe as Mallorca now hold the advantage for the race for fourth whilst Getafe are hot on the heels of Villarreal for the last Europa League position. And check out that dudes cigar and sombrero combo in the video. Classic. Who said Spanish Football was boring?

Sporting Gijon 0 - 2 Real Valladolid
(0-1) 80' Manucho, (0-2) 93' Baraja

Can Real Valladolid pull off yet another miraculous escape? Since Javier Clemente took over they've drawn two and won two, but more importantly havn't conceded a goal. A remarkable turnaround, especially when you take into account the farcical situation Clemente found the club in when he took over. With the former Spain coach employing five at the back, it was a solid defensive performance that provided the platform for Manucho and Baraja to score late goals and bag the all-important three points. Valladolid are not going down without a fight.

Racing Santander 1 - 2 Villarreal
(1-0) 38' Canales, (1-1) 70' Godin, (1-2) 82' Nilmar

Almeria 0 - 1 Espanyol
(0-1) 54' Luis Garcia

Mallorca 1 - 1 Malaga
(0-1) 86' Obinna, (1-1) 91' Aduriz

Athletic Bilbao 0 - 0 Osasuna

La Liga relegation dogfight hots up as Real Valladolid and Tenerife win

Real Valladolid and Tenerife secured three vital points apiece as they revived their hopes of survival. Having shared the points this weekend in the Canaries, any less than a midweek win could have proved decisive as both look to avoid the dreaded drop into what the Spanish delightfully term 'Hell'. Real Valladolid welcomed Sevilla to the Jose Zorilla, with the Andalucians scrapping with Mallorca and Athletic Bilbao for that final Champions League slot. Yet not for the first time recently, Sevilla looked devoid of any threat, and succumbed to strikes from Diego Costa and Manucho, as Javier Clemente continues to stamp his authority upon a situation that only days ago had looked out of control.

Tenerife were also in last-chance saloon and they didn't disappoint as they recorded a noteworthy win away at Sporting Gijon. Infact it was incredibly their first away win of the season and it came at just the right time. With Sporting keeper Juan Pablo in fine form they had to wait until late on before making sure of the three points as Román and Alfaro found the net in the last twenty minutes at El Molinon. The pressure is really on Málaga, Real Zaragoza and Racing Santander, as any dropped points tomorrow would signal their return into the relegation dogfight. As for Xerez, any less than a win at the Vicente Calderon would mean almost certain relegation back to La Segunda. But with five teams still fighting it out tooth and nail, its really hotting up at the bottom of La Liga.

Real Valladolid 2 - 1 Sevilla

(1-0) 41' Diego Costa, (2-0) 53' Manucho, (2-1) 83' Cala

Sporting Gijon 0 - 2 Tenerife

(0-1) 70' Roman, (0-2) 87' Alfaro

Getafe 3 - 0 Villarreal
(1-0) 56' Miku (2-0) 72' Manu (3-0) 86' Miku

Real Madrid fight back to take the derby honours against Atletico

Real Madrid 3 - 2 Atletico Madrid
(0-1) 10' Reyes, (1-1) 49' Alonso, (2-1) 55' Arbeloa, (3-1) 62' Higuaín, (3-2) 67' Forlán

Real Madrid leapfrog Barca yet again after an action-packed derby against Atletico Madrid. 'Los Rojiblancos' even managed to make it to halftime a goal to the good after Jose Antonio Reyes' confident finish past Casillas, but from that point on there was only one team in it. Atletico inexplicably retreated into their own half, and Real Madrid took control. De Gea had to be at his best to ensure Atleti started the second half in the lead, but within 17 minutes they found themselves 3-1 down as Alonso, Arbeloa and Higuain all found the net with Real Madrid threatening to run riot. Higuains goal will have especially angered Quique as farcical errors from Thiago (who had played well up to that point) and Assuncao allowed Higuain a free run on goal, and the Argentine rarely fails to find the back of the net when one on one, and tonight was no different. Diego Forlán quickly made it 3-2 after a crazy handball by Xabi Alonso was punished with a penalty (but oddly not even a yellow card), but bar a chance for Forlán with only seconds remaining, that was as close as it would get for Atletico. It's looking increasingly like El Clasico on April 10th is going to be the defining match in this seasons Liga battle.

Villarreal 3 - 0 Sevilla
(1-0) 4' Rossi (2-0) 17' Llorente (3-0) 90' Pires

Sevilla are slowly but surely falling out of the Champions League race as they fell to another morale-sapping defeat at the hands of Villarreal. With Jesus Navas and Diego Perotti out, Sevilla lack a plan B, with Luis Fabiano and Alvaro Negredo starved of service. Villarreal on the other hand were inspired, with Cani, Ibergaza, Rossi and Nilmar simply too much to handle for Sevillas back four. Guiseppe Rossi got the first, running onto Nilmars pass, whilst Joseba Llorente took advantage of another assist from the Brazilian to put the match out of sight for the visitors. Luis Fabiano had a couple of chances to half the deficit, but shot uncharacteristically straight at the keeper on both occasions. Late sub Robert Pires then put the icing on the cake for Juan Garridos men as he slipped the ball past the onrushing Palop to give the scoreline a more realistic reflection. As the Submarine rises towards the European spots, Sevilla see their Champions League ambitions take another blow. A team short on confidence and ideas, Antonio Alvarez has a huge job on his hands.

Xerez 3 - 0 Real Valladolid

(1-0) 1' Victor Sanchez, (2-0) 35' Michel, (3-0) 71' Bermejo (p)

This was supposed to be the last chance saloon for Xerez, as defeat to a direct rival like Real Valladolid would spell almost certain relegation. Just as well the team from Chapin are saving the best for last as they chalked up their eleventh point out of the last 18 available in their search of a footballing miracle. Few people give them a chance but try telling that to the Xerez players, as they close the gap on Real Valladolid to two points and are now only seven away from Real Zaragoza who sit just above the bottom three. Victor Sanchez set them on the road to victory with a goal after only a minute following good work from little Fabiano Orellana. Momo then sent over a superb free-kick which left Michel with the simple task of nodding past Justo Villar, as the Real Valladolid defence crumbled. If todays performance is anything to go by, Valladolid are doomed, as they hardly created a noteworthy chance in the first half, with Manucho an isolated figure upfront. The second half saw much of the same, as Xerez had various chances to extend their lead, and did so with 20 minutes left after a dubious penalty decision from controversial ref Perez Burrul. From where I was sat it looked like Mario Bermejo slipped as he rounded Justo Villar, but Burrul gave the penalty and sent the keeper off. With all their subs already used, Medjunanin went in goal, only to pick the ball straight out of the net as Bermejo made no mistake from the spot. Chapin then went into party mode. The great escape is still very much alive.

Deportivo la Coruña 1 - 3 Getafe

(0-1) 21' Miku, (0-2) 32' Ze Castro, (0-3) 57' Miku, (1-3) 71' Riki

Osasuna 1 - 0 Almeria

(1-0) 20' Pandiani

Espanyol 0 - 0 Sporting Gijon

Ibrahimovic saves Barcelonas blushes against Osasuna

Barcelona 2 - 0 Osasuna

(1-0) 72' Ibrahimovic, (2-0) 88' Bojan

Underfire Zlatan Ibrahimovic strolled out of Messis shadow to rescue his team from a potentially league-threatening draw against Osasuna.  While the watching world reached for the superlative dictionary during the week, as plaudits flew in from all angles to praise his teammate, Zlatan was left to mull over his numerous gaffes in the Aragonese capital. He and his team were made to suffer today as the visitors strangled the life out of Barcelona during a physical first 45 minutes, whilst also offering hope to the rest of the world that Leo Messi can be stopped. Messi didn't have a bad match by any stretch of the imagine, yet such are the standards that he sets himself these days, anything less than a hattrick doesn't warrant any special mention.

Jose Antonio Camacho, a Real Madrid man at heart, came to the Camp Nou set on  causing an upset. His 4-3-3 formation was a welcome change to the 'park the bus' tactics that many visiting teams adopt in this neck of the woods. With Nekounam and Puñal his loyal footsoldiers in the centre, Barca struggled to find any rhythm as Osasuna didn't leave a blade of grass unturned. The best chance of the half fell to Krisztian Vadocz, but up against the one-on-one master, Victor Valdes, there was only ever going to be one winner as the Barca keeper came to his sides rescue once again. Osasunas two full-backs, Monreal and Azpilicueta caused Dani Alves and Maxwell plenty of headaches down the wings, and as the players walked off for half-time, Barcelona were surely pondering how they could break this wall of white shirts down.

Whatever Guardiola said at the break worked, as Barca came out in determined mood, with Andres Iniesta at the forefront. Even so, Osasuna were in no mood to cave in as they stuck to the tactics that had served them so well in the first half. As the minutes ticked away, it was looking increasingly desparate for the Catalans. But up popped Ibrahimovic, who was in the right place at the right time to finish off a flowing move that involved Iniesta and Maxwell, with the latter sliding a perfect pass across goal, which only required the big Swede to stick out a leg. Cue a collective sigh of relief and plenty of swearing in Madrid. Messi provided his customary moment of magic, creating an inch of space just outside the area which allowed him to curl against the post, before Iniesta turned creator to set up sub Bojan for another of his late cameo goals. It wasn't pretty but it was effective, as Barca now look to Getafe to do them a huge favour tomorrow in the Coliseum.

Valencia 1 - 0 Malaga
(1-0) 13' Villa

Tenerife 2 - 2 Villarreal

(0-1) 46' Nilmar, (1-1) 60' Nino, (2-1) 76' Culebras, (2-2) 88' Rossi

Real Valladolid 0 - 0 Espanyol

Racing Santander 0 - 0 Mallorca

Almeria 1 - 0 Real Zaragoza

(1-0) 61' Uche

La Liga Saturday Highlights: Messi leads nine-men Barca to Getafe win

Barcelona 2 - 1 Getafe

(1-0) 5' Messi, (2-0) 66' Xavi, (2-1) 93' Soldado

Lionel Messi ran the show as Barcelona recorded an impressive win against Getafe, having played for more than 65 minutes with ten men. Messi gave Barca the lead with a cracking effort after only 5 minutes and it looked like a rout was on the cards as Barca mounted wave after wave of attacks. But then a moment of madness saw Gerard Pique sent off for a nasty challenge on Rafa, which threw the game wide open. Both teams went for the jugular, as Getafe could finally match their opponents now they were down to ten. But lead by a possessed Lionel Messi, Barca went two up when Xavi struck home just after the hour. Game over. But there was still to be some drama, as Marquez was sent off after felling Kepa, with Roberto Soldado slotting home the penalty. Guardiola didnt want to enter into any debates about the refereeing, but he'll have a few late nights as he ponders how to structure his side for their next match against Atlético Madrid without Pique, Marquez, Alves and Toure Yaya.

Real Madrid 3 - 0 Espanyol

(1-0) 5' Ramos, (2-0) 29' Kaká, (3-0) 90' Higuaín

Real Madrid offered their finest performance of the season so far as they took a resigned Espanyol apart at the seams. Kaká finally displayed the sort of form that made Florentino part with €60 million, whilst the back four and Iker Casillas hardly had anything to contend with the whole 90 minutes. Before the game, youngsters Javi Marquez and Verdú had been tipped to give Madrid a run for their money in the middle of the park, but they were blown away by Xabi Alonso, Guti and Granero as Real Madrid turned it up a notch, with some stylish football; toying with their opponents at times. Gonzalo Higuain came back from injury for an eye-catching cameo, topped off with a spectacular goal as the striker topped off Madrids impressive display. The way he took down Van der Vaarts pin-point 40 yard pass was magical, as it allowed him to turn inside the defender, race past Kameni and slot in. Real Madrid are really getting into their stride, and with Cristiano to come back next week, the race for the title is well and truely on.

Valencia 2 - 0 Real Valladolid

(1-0) 8' Banega, (2-0) 29' Villa

Valencia ran riot against Real Valladolid as only poor finishing stopped the scoreline from resembling that of a rugby match. It was Onésimos first match in charge of Valladolid, but the expressive manager was left exasperated on the touchline as his new troops simply couldn't handle the potency of Valencias fantastic four. But even they were a little off the boil as Pablo Hernandez never got into the game and Juan Mata and David Villa wasteful infront of goal. Eva Banega was once again Valencias main man, as he ran the show after scoring a wonderful goal from outside the box to put them one up. Villa headed in Valencias second and from then on it was a blur of white as Valencia set about that elusive third goal that never came. For Valladolid the signs were worrying, with only a couple of breaks from dangerman Diego Costa to show for their efforts. Onésimo has a hell of a job on his hands if he is to stave off relegation.

La Liga Saturday Highlights: Barcelona streak 8 points clear

Real Valladolid 0 - 3 Barcelona

(0-1) 20' Xavi, (0-2) 22' Dani Alves, (0-3) 54' Messi

Barcelona reached the halfway point of the season unbeaten with yet another sublime performance which saw them reach 23 goals away from home. A breathtaking break saw Xavi put them infront before a cross-come-shot from Alves put them further ahead two minutes later. Leo Messi had never scored against Real Valladolid before today, so he decided to put that right when he smashed in following some good work from Ibrahimovic in the area. 15 league goals puts the Rosario-born genius in pole position for the Pichichi. Real Valladolid certainly made Victor Valdes work hard, with the keeper doing his best to keep his name in Del Bosques mind as the World Cup creeps ever closer. You have to wonder what Valdes has got to do to get a look-in. 8 points now separate Barca from Real Madrid, who will be under pressure to get what looks on paper like a guaranteed three points against Málaga in the Bernabeu.

READ ON FOR REPORTS AND HIGHLIGHTS OF TONIGHTS MATCHES

Sevilla 1 - 0 Almería
(1-0) 9' Negredo

It was far from convincing from Sevilla, but following a rout at Depor, they've now put an end to a run of four league defeats on the bounce, by getting back to winning ways with a 1-0 win over Almería in the Sanchez Pizjuan. Alvaro Negredo got the early goal after a backpass from Acasiete got bogged down in a puddle which allowed Renato to reach the ball before the keeper, who squared it to Negredo who was left with a simple tap-in. Sevilla showed that they still havnt found their feet after what has been a dreadful start to 2010 in the league, and there were jeers from the crowd as only Navas and Perotti showed any sort of ambition after the goal. Struggling Almería outplayed their hosts, with Corona and Crusat tormenting the Sevilla full-backs (Stankevicius is looking like a dreadful buy), but it wasn't enough to stop manager Juanma Lillo falling to his first defeat. Manolo Jimenez will be feeling the heat, even with this win, as he consistently fails to get his team playing with the same verve and swagger of one or two years ago.

Deportivo La Coruña 3 - 1 Athletic Bilbao

(1-0) 49' Filipe, (2-0) 59' Juca, (2-1) 79' Colotto (o.g), (3-1) 89' Pablo Álvarez

A match marked by a horrifying ankle injury to talented full-back Luis Filipe as he clashed with Bilbao keeper Gorka Iraizoz when putting Depor infront. It seemed innocuous enough, and many thought the goal had been disallowed for offside as the Deportivo players put their hands on their heads. Yet it quickly became clear that Filipe was in a bad way and the Brazilian was quickly rushed to hospital. The home team put the shock behind them quickly as they made it 2-0 with a fortunate deflection. Colotto made a horrendous error to give Athletic hope, but a delightful Valeron assist allowed Pablo Álvarez to make the points safe in the fight for the fourth Champions League spot. Bilbao dominated the first half, with two goals disallowed, but their intensity disappeared after the break as Coruña took the chances that came their way to shoot up to fourth in La Liga.

Saturday Liga Results: Sergio Canales sinks Sevilla; Atlético fight back

Sevilla 1 - 2 Racing Santander
(0-1) 25' Canales, (0-2) 37' Canales, (1-2) 61' Romaric

Sevilla sunk to another deflating home defeat as they were ripped apart by a first-half Sergio Canales masterclass. The teen sensation scored two stunning goals, leaving clear signs that he is destined for stardom, as Miguel Angel Portugals Racing team stung Sevilla with some scintillating counter-attacking football. The first goal was a delightful chip over Palop, with the second exquisitely executed as he rounded Palop and waited before slotting past a desparate lunge from Adriano on the line. True cold-blooded finishing from a Racing youth product half owned by Deportivo La Coruña. For Sevilla manager Manolo Jimenez he will be hoping his team can fight through January, dropping as few points as possible as Kanoute, Kone and Zokora compete in the African Cup of Nations and Luis Fabiano recovers from injury. They also need to rectify a home record of four wins in nine if they are to arrest a slide which has already put pay to their La Liga hopes and has seen them slide out of the Champions League positions.

READ ON FOR REPORTS AND HIGHLIGHTS OF ALL TODAYS LA LIGA MATCHES

Real Valladolid 0 - 4 Atlético Madrid

(0-1) 16' Jurado, (0-2) 31' Forlan, (0-3) 58' Reyes, (0-4) 90' Agüero

A truely ruthless display from Atlético Madrid that erased memories of a catastrophic midweek display in the cup and which saw their recent league revival continued. Jose Antonio Reyes was at the heart of all that was good about Atlético as he set up Jurados first and arrowed in the third from well outside the box. Alvaro Dominguez was impeccable at the back as his team finally set up a firm defensive foundation from which their starstudded attacking lineup could flourish. Quite why Valladolid defended so high up the pitch was a mystery to most as some well-timed runs and electric pace from Forlán, Reyes and Agüero destroyed Mendilibars men. Quique with his teams reaction to the midweek cup defeat, and with his team now only 8 points of the UEFA spots the comeback is well and truely on. Next up, Sporting Gijon in the Vicente Calderon.

Villarreal 1 - 1 Almería

(1-0) 40' Nilmar, (1-1) 67' Corona (p)

Almería have found a second wind since Hugo Sanchez was given the boot, and after beating Xerez last week they held a rejuvenated Villarreal to a draw in Juanma Lillos second match in charge. Nilmar headed in Villarreals goal after some sterling work out wide by Santi Cazorla, whilst Almerías equaliser came from the penalty spot after Goitom was felled by Marcano, who was later sent off for a disgraceful challenge on Ortiz. Ernesto Valverde will certainly see this result as two points dropped as they continue to repair the early-season damage. He definitely didnt help by starting Ibergaza, Cani and Llorente all on the bench.