The matchday started with panic among Valencia fans after Levante’s win and, especially, Sevilla’s stoppage-time victory over Espanyol at the Pizjuán. However, Valencia showed up and conquered a classic venue like San Mamés, while other results fell in their favor.
Villarreal drew at Son Moix, costing Mallorca two points and leaving them on 39. Meanwhile, Getafe failed to take all three points from the Carlos Tartiere (0-0), where Real Oviedo played the final 20 minutes with two men down after Javi López (54′) and Sibo (78′) were sent off. Even with eight minutes of added time, José Bordalás’ side couldn’t break the deadlock. Thanks to Dimitrievski’s saves and Sadiq’s goal against Athletic (0-1), Valencia now find themselves, almost unexpectedly, closer to the last European spot than to the relegation zone with just three games left.
Here’s how the battle stands: 13 teams separated by nine points
After Rayo Vallecano qualified for the UEFA Europa League final—they’ll visit Mestalla next—the top five in LaLiga will enter the 2026/27 Champions League. Sixth place, along with Copa del Rey champion Real Sociedad, will play in the Europa League. Seventh place will go to the Conference League as Spain’s representative.
With 35 games played, Celta sits sixth on 50 points, four behind Betis, who hold the final Champions League spot. Then, with just 45 points, Getafe is seventh, occupying the last European position. That’s only three points more than Valencia, who were under pressure and in the thick of the relegation scrap before this matchday.
LaLiga is absolutely crazy: from seventh to 19th, 13 teams are separated by a mere nine points—the same number still available until the season ends in late May.
The madness of a tightly contested bottom half
After Getafe, Basque sides Real Sociedad and Athletic Club are tied on 44 points in a disappointing league campaign. Right behind them, a trio on 42: Osasuna, Rayo Vallecano, and Valencia. In 13th place, Sevilla, who were struggling two weeks ago, now have 40 points, five off the Conference League spot.
With fewer than 40 points and their minds fully focused on survival, three clubs sit on 39: Elche, Mallorca, and Espanyol. The competition is so tight that the team currently in the safety zone, Girona, could easily look up to eighth place if they win at Vallecas on Monday.
Finally, in the relegation zone, Real Oviedo is completely cut adrift, clinging only to a faint mathematical hope and goal difference. The other two in the red, Levante and Alavés, are very much alive on 36 and 37 points respectively, just two or three points from their target depending on Girona’s result on Monday.
All eyes turn to Vallecas
Girona’s match carries huge weight in the relegation fight heading into the final three rounds. It could raise the bar even higher for staying in Primera, and for Valencia, it will partly shape the objective with which Rayo play at Mestalla on Thursday.
What’s clear is that Íñigo Pérez’s team will give everything, whether chasing a European ticket without relying solely on the May 27 final in Leipzig against Crystal Palace, or seeking peace of mind in a season where, as Corberán has said, 42 points might not be enough to guarantee survival in the top flight.
