LaLiga Santander Preview: Champions League qualification and the relegation battle heat up

re is LaLiga Santander action coming up this midweek, as Matchday 31 is taking place across Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. With just eight rounds remaining, every point is so precious and re is so much still to play for, especially in terms of European qualification and relegation battle. 

round commences on Tuesday at 7.30pm CEST, with two fixtures taking place at same time and with Real Mrid participating in one of se early kick-offs as y visit Girona FC. se teams have met just five times before in LaLiga Santander and ir he-to-he record is completely even, with two victories each and one draw. Los Blancos will hope to take le in series this Tuesday, travelling north with players such as Marco Asensio, Eduardo Camavinga and Rodrygo in red hot form.

or fixture at that same early time slot on Tuesday is on opposite corner of Iberian Peninsula, where Cádiz CF will host CA Osasuna. After losing two home games in a row, and with Cádiz CF just two points above relegation zone, Los Amarillos will go all out for three points in this one.

At 10pm CEST on Tuesday, re is a massively important fixture in race for Champions League qualification: Real Betis vs Real Socied, a duel between sides currently in fifth place and fourth place. gap is at six points right now, meaning that Los Verdiblancos will be desperate for a victory against ir direct rivals for a top four finish. Meanwhile, Imanol Alguacil will travel south with his La Real squ aware that a win could extend gap to nine points. stakes could hardly be higher.
On Wednesday, Mrid becomes focal point of LaLiga Santander action as three of evening’s four fixtures are taking place in capital. That’s case with both of Wednesday’s 7.30pm CEST kick-offs, when Atlético de Mrid face RCD Mallorca and when Getafe CF take on UD Almería. In first, Diego Simeone’s side will look to start a new winning run after suffering a rare defeat on Sunday. With second of se fixtures, it’s all about fighting for survival as Getafe CF are currently 16th on 31 points while UD Almería are 17th on 30 points. refore, this match could ultimately end up being decisive in relegation battle.

Later on Wednesday night, Rayo Vallecano welcome FC Barcelona to Vallecas and y do so with an excellent recent record against Blaugrana. se two clubs’ past three meetings have seen Andoni Iraola’s side win 1-0 twice and also draw 0-0 at very beginning of this season. fans in Vallecas will relish chance to try to keep up that good run of results. 
Meanwhile, RC Celta vs Elche CF also takes place on Wednesday night and Galician club will view that as a good opportunity to return to winning ways, following a frustrating four-match winless run since March international break. 
On Thursday, action moves to Valencian Community as Valencia CF vs Real Vallolid and Villarreal CF vs RCD Espanyol both take place at same time at 7.30pm CEST. Three of se four sides, all except Villarreal CF, are currently at heart of relegation battle, so re could be significant movement in standings over course of those 90 minutes. fans involved will be focused on ir own team’s game but also keeping one eye on or scoreline, meaning this could be a dramatic Thursday evening. 

midweek matchday n concludes in Bilbao later on Thursday night, as Athletic Club and Sevilla FC meet at San Mamés. se are two most in-form sides in all of LaLiga Santander right now, having taken 10 points each from ir past four matches, while this is also a duel between two coaches who know each or so well, in Ernesto Valverde and José Luis Mendilibar. That means it’s set up to be a competitive and interesting contest this Thursday night.  

Watch LaLiga Santander live this midweek on Sports18, JioCinema & MTV
Girona FC vs Real Mrid, Tuesday at 11:00 PM
Cádiz CF vs CA Osasuna, Tuesday at 11:00 PM
Real Betis vs Real Socied, Wednesday at 1:30 AM
Atlético de Mrid vs RCD Mallorca, Wednesday at 11:00 PM
Getafe CF vs UD Almería, Wednesday at 11:00 PM
Rayo Vallecano vs FC Barcelona, Thursday at 1:30 AM
RC Celta vs Elche CF, Thursday at 1:30 AM
Villarreal CF vs RCD Espanyol, Thursday at 11:00 PM
Athletic Club vs Sevilla FC, Friday at 1:30 AM
Valencia vs Valloid, Thursday at 11:00 PM