Team Focus: Weighing up La Liga's Relegation Run in
This past weekend Real Betis were the first team to fall in La Liga’s relegation battle. It had been a case of confirming the inevitable for the Andalucian side, who have won only five of the 35 games they’ve played this season. Now attentions turn to the other two relegation spots, and those are not quite so clear-cut.
Knee deep
Almería have been tempting fate all season with their lack of inconsistency, first suffering from an incredible run of bad luck as they threw away leads and conceded late goals, all despite playing entertaining football. In fact, it could be that the 9 points they’ve lost from winning positions this season seal their fate.
Defensively Almería have been poor all season, and their attempts to soak up pressure and counter in a direct manner have often backfired. The 16.4 shots per game they’ve conceded is the second most in La Liga, while in terms of breaking up play their 18.4 tackles is the second lowest in the league. Almería do sit top of one table though, and that’s when it comes to interceptions, with 21.4 per game representing the most in the top-flight.
If Almería are to survive they require more from certain individuals too, especially Suso, their most gifted player in terms of technical quality. It was the midfielder, on loan from Liverpool, that scored the winner against Espanyol at the weekend and it was his first real contribution since a goal in November.
After losing their coach in the summer, then star player in January – Real Valladolid have certainly had it tough. Juan Ignacio Martínez has failed to bring the fight and unity from his time with Levante to Valladolid. All too often he’s played for draws too, after all there have been 14 of them – the most in La Liga.
Just 3.2 shots per game on target jump off the page at you about the team this season though; the lowest average in La Liga. There has been a lack of attacking intent and variation, something that was overcome by Martínez at Levante via a tight defence and competitive style.
Valladolid’s players have been underperforming all season however, failing to show the collective ability they found under previous coach Miroslav Djukic. A 4-1 hammering on Monday by an exciting Celta Vigo might well have been the final nail in the coffin.
Too close for comfort
Life was always going to be difficult for Getafe after they lost their star player in the shape of Abdel Barrada over the summer, but with the likes of Pedro León around they believed they could survive. Also there was a bright, well-respected coach in Luis García to rely upon. However, after 12 games without a win, Getafe decided to move on.
Cosmin Contra was brought in and regardless of a win over Málaga this past weekend Getafe are by no means out of sight. Despite an aggressive approach - with 105 yellow cards and 8 red cards they are the third worst disciplined team in the league - Getafe have hardly intimidated their rivals.
Much of their football is predictable and 3.4 shots on target per game is the joint second fewest in La Liga. Meanwhile their 15 goals scored from open play - the joint second poorest total in La Liga - back up the suggestion their overly-ponderous approach play has indeed ran its course.
Osasuna have been on the cusp of relegation for many a year, as they not only battle other teams but also their traditional style of play. Direct, and based very much on physical and aerial ability, the side from Pamplona do things the hard way.
In terms of pass types they lead the long balls column, unsurprisingly, with 74 per game played up to now. Aerially, meanwhile, they’ve won the third most duels in La Liga, with 22.1 per game. What Osasuna require is more penetration when it comes to their strengths, and when they do Oriol Riera is likely going to be the exclamation point. Riera’s scored 12 of Osasuna’s 29 goals this term and will need to step up in these three huge remaining games.
Getting dragged into the mix
Elche are a frustrating team because although they have played impressively at times this term, they probably boast the weakest squad in the league along with Almería. WhoScored.com hand Elche the weakest team rating of the season so far in La Liga, with 6.61 even lower than already relegated Real Betis.
Elche simply haven’t put the ball in the back of the net enough, with 28 goals the lowest total in La Liga, and have more often than not gone for safety over risk taking. It explains their number of draws - 12 is the second highest total in La Liga - and narrow losses by a single goal.
Elche compete well across 90 minutes, but simply don’t have enough of a winning mentality. In the run-in it could prove pivotal, though they do possess a calculated and promising coach in Fran Escribá. As opposed to others that may lean on individuals, it’s the collective that could pull Elche through. A point at Málaga this upcoming weekend looks important, given they face Barcelona and then Sevilla to end the season.
Granada’s stunning win over Barcelona might well have been enough to preserve their La Liga status, but they won’t be resting until it’s mathematically so. The club possess a very talented and ambitious squad that has lacked a coach to match. Motivation has been a problem, and in turn consistency has been hard to come by.
Piti has failed to reach his goalscoring exploits of last season with Rayo Vallecano, managing just five goals compared to 18 in 2012/2013. However, there has been success with young Colombian pairing Jeison Murillo and Brayan Angulo, while Fran Rico has shown once over injuries he can be the talent many at Real Madrid had him made out to be.
Angulo’s 2.7 tackles and 2.2 interceptions per game respectively are the second most overall the club, while Rico’s 48.7 passes per game are the most, highlighting his ability to control the team. Granada will probably escape this time around, but next season they should be setting the bar higher.
Tips to go down, joining Real Betis: Real Valladolid and Getafe
Who do you think will be relegated from La Liga? Let us know in the comments below
