News
VIE 01.05.2015
Matchday 34 of the Liga BBVA brought surprises, the odd thrashing and, above all, two teams in FC Barcelona and Real Madrid who continue to fire on all cylinders as they battle it out for the league title. After the midweek fixtures, the struggle for UEFA Champions League qualification is as open as ever, and that’s also true of a relegation dogfight in which Elche CF remain on form and are closing in on survival.
The Liga BBVA title race hots up
Barça and Madrid remain on another level as they bid to finish the La Liga campaign in top spot. The sides are competing in their own separate league, in which neither is slackening their pace as they continue to pick up points and win their matches comprehensively. This was the case on the last matchday, with los azulgranas sweeping past Getafe 6-0. Los azulones, who were already behind by the 9th minute, were unable to live with an overwhelming display from the Catalans, Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez taking centre stage with two goals apiece.
In their encounter with Almería, Real Madrid were not offering any let-up either. Playing at the Bernabéu – where they have not lost in ten games – los blancos comfortably saw off the Andalusians and stay tight on Barcelona’s heels, awaiting a potential slip-up from their rivals. The match’s goals arrived courtesy of James Rodríguez, Mauro Dos Santos (o.g.) and Álvaro Arbeloa.
Bacca has his shooting boots on ahead of facing Real Madrid
Another outfit in great form as the season nears its climax is Sevilla. Unai Emery’s team beat SD Eibar 1-3 on matchday 34, a result which means they draw level on points with Valencia CF following a 1-1 stalemate between los che and Rayo Vallecano. The victory for los hispalenses leaves Eibar in trouble near the bottom and sees the Andalusians extend their unbeaten run in the league to ten matches.
Sevilla have not lost since 22 February, a fact that is in no small part down to Carlos Bacca. The striker, who found the net twice against Gaizka Garitano’s men, is now on 19 goals for the season and is fifth on this term’s list of leading scorers.
Elche CF put daylight between themselves and the relegation zone
The side coached by Fran Escribá thrashed RC Deportivo in a clash that finished 4-0 to the hosts. In the wake of this win, los ilicitanos have now accrued nine of the last twelve points up for grabs, all against direct competitors; the form has seen them move into thirteenth position, eight points above the drop zone. Elche therefore go into the final four matches of the campaign with a significant cushion over their relegation rivals, a gap that may well prove pivotal in their quest for safety.
No-one wants to drop out of the Liga BBVA
Of the remaining teams fighting against relegation from the Liga BBVA, only Levante UD managed to claim all three points on the past matchday, in a clash that saw los granotas come out 1-0 winners against none other than basement boys Córdoba CF. Just one point separates los blanquiverdes from the drop, and their fate could be mathematically sealed this weekend. Granada CF, with 25 points, and Deportivo, on 29, occupy the other two relegation places, and are still in with a shout of staying up with four matchdays to play in the Liga BBVA.
© LALIGA - 2015