Celta Vigo and Real Betis eye fifth-place finish
Just five points separates Osasuna in 10th and Alaves in relegation zone
Levante, Sevilla, Elche, Mallorca and Girona among clubs who could still go down
The title race may be over, but the fight for survival and the scramble for European places ensure a dramatic midweek programme in LaLiga.
With three rounds remaining, several clubs face defining fixtures between Tuesday and Thursday and we have a score prediction for every match.
Celta Vigo vs Levante (Tuesday, 6pm)
Fifth place secures direct entry to next season’s Champions League and Celta remain in the hunt for it after closing the gap to Real Betis last weekend.
However, they are unlikely to be given an easy ride by a Levante side battling the drop and coming off a thrilling 3-2 win over Osasuna.
Claudio Giraldez’s side have shown enough defensive improvement in recent weeks to suggest they can edge a tense tussle by a single goal.
Score prediction: Celta Vigo 2-1 Levante
Real Betis vs Elche (Tuesday, 7pm)
Four points clear of Celta with three games to go, Betis are in the driving seat for that Champions League place.
Manuel Pellegrini’s men may have drawn five of their last six home LaLiga games at temporary base La Cartuja, but all of those clashes were against better teams than Elche.
Eder Sarabia’s side scrapped out a 1-1 home draw with fellow strugglers Alaves on Saturday but have lost seven of their last eight away league trips.
Score prediction: Real Betis 2-0 Elche
Osasuna vs Atletico Madrid (Tuesday, 8.30pm)
Title-chasing Barcelona ended Osasuna’s 10-game home unbeaten run earlier this month and the Basque outfit will be desperate to get back to winning ways against an out-of-sorts Atleti.
Diego Simeone’s side suffered a post-Champions League exit hangover at home to Celta on Saturday, albeit in a game they should have won.
Osasuna have been solid at home so Atleti may need patience, but their extra quality should tell.
Score prediction: Osasuna 0-1 Atletico Madrid
Espanyol vs Athletic Club (Wednesday, 6pm)
Espanyol have been tumbling into deeper trouble in recent weeks and now sit just two points above the drop zone.
The appointment of ex-Sevilla and Aston Villa chief Monchi as sporting director may have come too late to save them but a key injury in the Athletic Club camp should help.
Nico Williams’ hamstring injury will make the visitors less dangerous and the Parakeets may be able to take a point.
Score prediction: Espanyol 1-1 Athletic Club
Villarreal vs Sevilla (Wednesday, 6pm)
Villarreal's superb form in the second half of the season has seen them virtually lock up third place and they will want to make sure of it before a potential last-day showdown against Atleti.
Back-to-back wins have boosted Sevilla hopes of survival and they are no longer the soft touch they were earlier in the campaign.
The Yellow Submarines lacked intensity in the heat of San Moix on Sunday but should prevail if their pressing game is back on song.
Score prediction: Villarreal 2-1 Sevilla
Alaves vs Barcelona (Wednesday, 8.30pm)
Newly crowned champions Barcelona have been ruthless throughout the spring. Their away form has been excellent and they continue to dominate possession and create chances at will.
Even with rotation likely and an allowance for some post-El Clasico partying, Hansi Flick's men should still have enough to win.
Alaves, who have not conceded more than three goals in any of their last seven against Barca, can keep it respectable.
Score prediction: Alavés 0-2 Barcelona
Getafe vs Mallorca (Wednesday, 8.30pm)
Getafe are still in the thick of the battle for European places but have been beset by a worrying goal drought.
Jose Bordelas’ men have scored only one goal in their last five games and were forced to grind out a point in a 0-0 draw with rock-bottom Oviedo last weekend.
With Vedat Muriqi always a threat, Mallorca have got the means to make life very tough for the hosts at the Coliseum.
Score prediction: Getafe 0-1 Mallorca
Valencia vs Rayo Vallecano (Thursday, 6pm)
Valencia’s season has been turbulent, but their home form has kept them clear of danger.
Los Che can edge a testing encounter with Conference League-final-bound Rayo Vallecano, who have lost six and won only one of their last nine LaLiga road trips.
Score prediction: Valencia 2-1 Rayo Vallecano
Girona vs Real Sociedad (Thursday, 7pm)
Girona need a win but could be facing Real Sociedad at just the right time. The visitors' form has tailed off since their dramatic Copa del Rey triumph and could be there for the taking.
Score prediction: Girona 0-2 Real Sociedad
Real Madrid vs Real Oviedo (Thursday, 8.30pm)
Real Madrid cannot wait for the season to end amid disciplinary issues, coaching uncertainty and general rancour, which was only amplified by Sunday’s defeat to Barcelona.
Despite all this, it is hard to see them tripping up against Real Oviedo, who have struggled to score against top‑half teams.
Score prediction: Real Madrid 3-0 Real Oviedo.
