Real Valladolid vs Getafe: The biggest game of the La Liga season
Never have the stakes been so high, or so finely balanced
296 days. 370 games. But it all comes down to this.
Five teams fighting for seventh. Six scrapping to avoid 18th. La Liga might already have its champion, but there is still plenty at stake on what is sure to be a dramatic final day.
Down at the bottom, the permutations promise chaos. With head-to-head records coming into play to separate teams on level points, a whole host of combinations could open up depending on the results. As many as five teams could finish on 41 points, opening up the potential for a dramatic mini-league scenario to settle the score.
Everything hinges, however, on one game.
If Real Valladolid lose to Getafe at the José Zorrilla tonight, they face a second consecutive immediate relegation.
If they draw, they could stay up if Almeria lose to Espanyol, while a home win shakes things up completely.
Keeping Valladolid safe, three points for Pucela would throw every other side into danger. Celta would be in the biggest trouble, sitting just one point clear of Valladolid with a poor head-to-head record against the other relegation candidates, but everyone up to Cádiz would be at risk.
It’s a match that will make or break seasons.
What’s more, the contest is tantalisingly poised.
According to Opta, the home side have a 34.4 per cent chance of clinching their safety with three points. The visitors? 34.5.
Getafe hadn’t won an away game since October, but a smash-and-grab 1-0 win at Real Betis last week, combined with a last-gasp 2-1 home win over Osasuna, has propelled José Bordalás’ side away from the relegation zone at the crucial time.
Since he rejoined the club, no side has averaged less possession (36.0%), maintained a lower passing accuracy (64.5%), or committed more fouls (18.2). Then again, only five teams have picked up more points.
Los Azulones will be without talismanic striker Enes Unal for the crunch match, having sustained a serious knee injury at the Benito VillamarÃn. He has scored 41% of Getafe’s goals this season – only Folarin Balogun has a higher proportion of his team’s goals in Europe’s ‘Big Five’ Leagues.
Juanmi Latasa will once again be the man tasked with stepping into his big shoes. An emphatic header to start the comeback against Osasuna last weekend showed just what the towering forward can bring.
Valladolid have been struggling with their own absences, losing January signing Selim Amallah to a shoulder injury, while both Martin Hongla and Monchu will miss out with suspensions.
Pucela were on a miserable run of five defeats before a stunning victory over Barcelona reignited hopes of a late-season recovery. Last weekend’s 0-0 draw at AlmerÃa – a side imperious in front of their home support – was a hard-earned point to keep them in control of their own fate. Win on the final day, and no matter what, Valladolid are safe.
Curiously, three points would also see top-scorer Cyle Larin extend his stay at the club.
The Canadian’s contract contains a relegation clause, obliging him to sign permanently for Pucela should they avoid the drop. His eight goals since a late January move have largely sustained Paulo Pezzolano’s side – his commitment to the club would be another reason to celebrate.
Tension, unpredictability, and utmost importance – it’s a game that has everything.
Alongside the other four relegation clashes tomorrow night, be sure to keep a particularly close eye on Real Valladolid vs Getafe.
It’s quite the way to round off the campaign.