Features
TUE 12.04.2016
The final stages of the Liga Adelante season are almost upon us and there is no room for error in this very evenly-matched division. Two teams are automatically promoted to the top-flight, and those poistions are currently held by leaders Leganes and second-placed Alaves tied on 57 points. The clubs who finish third down to sixth go into a nail-biting playoff for the third and final promotion slot.
The race for the playoffs is really heating up with nine games left to play. There are currently four teams on 49 points, although only two of those, R. Zaragoza and AD Alcorcon, are currently in the playoff places. Meanwhile, At. Osasuna and Elche know that they are only one step away from the playoffs but will need to keep their feet firmly on the ground and wait for one of their rivals to slip up.
Dreaming costs nothing, and every team, all the way down to 15th-placed CD Numancia, is still in with a shout with only 10 points separating third and 15th. Numancia lie just seven points adrift of sixth-placed Alcorcon, which shows there are plenty of teams capable of making up the necessary ground with nine games still left to play.
It is, as always, a tough ask, but two teams hold a slim advantage over the opposition. They are this season's surprise packages, R. Oviedo and Nastic, both on 52 points in third and fourth, three points ahead of the chasing pack.
It is going to be a thrilling end to the season and one false step could cost a team their playoff dreams. One thing is clear: consistency will play a key role in determining who wins the battle to win promotion directly, or through the playoffs, to the Liga BBVA.
© LALIGA - 2016
