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The Cantabrian region club no longer has even theoretical possibilities to play in the strongest Spanish league next season, but in the last round, two teams that will drop to a lower division will be revealed.
After ten seasons spent in La Liga, Santander's Racing suffered a bitter fate - the club will celebrate its centenary anniversary in the Segunda league next season.
In 37 Spanish championship matches, Racing managed to win only 4 victories, played to a draw 15 times, and suffered 18 defeats. With only 27 points and just 26 goals scored throughout the season, the team has no chance of climbing out of the last place in the La Liga standings.
Over the weekend, Racing will play in their own stadium against Pamplona's Osasuna. This match is just a formality for the hosts and a chance to say goodbye to the fans. However, the team from Navarra, if they win and other teams' matches favor them, may secure a place to compete in the Europa League next season.
Other contenders to leave La Liga:
19th place. Chichon's Real Sporting - 37 points; Opponent in the 38th round: away - Malaga CF (4th place, 55 points); The question of life and death for the Asturias team. Sporting not only needs to win, but also hope that Zaragoza and Rayo Vallecano will lose their matches. It is possible to predict that Chichon's team is almost doomed, but... miracles happen. Malaga will be striving to maintain the fourth position in the Spanish championship, which Madrid's Atletico, playing away against the relegated Villarreal, might seriously target. However, Sporting sometimes performs incredible feats on the field. The fans of these teams can only hope that the upcoming weekend will be exactly that day.
18th place. Zaragoza's Real Zaragoza - 40 points; Opponent in the 38th round: away - Getafe CF (11th place, 47 points); The Madrid suburbs team is completely safe and has no goals for the last round - neither relegation from La Liga nor the opportunity to play in Europe is on the horizon for Getafe. So, Zaragoza will fight for survival in the last round. The Aragon team not only needs to defeat their opponents but also hope that Rayo Vallecano will lose and Villarreal will play at least to a draw. Then - salvation, if not - a ticket to Segunda for at least one season.
17th place. Madrid's Rayo Vallecano - 40 points; Opponent in the last round: home - Granada CF (15th place, 42 points); As strange as it may seem, this match should indeed receive the title of the round. Both teams have not secured the right to play in the country's top division next year, and only a victory can grant them that right and peace. The most feared scenario - a draw. Then the fate of both teams, which are near the "relegation zone," would depend on how Zaragoza, Sporting Gijon, and Villarreal play their matches. 16th place. Villarreal's Villarreal CF - 41 points; Opponent in the 38th round: home - Madrid's Atletico (5th place, 53 points); Just a few seasons ago, the "yellow submarine" boldly roamed the waters of Europe, but now it resembles a depressingly looking overturned boat that risks completely sinking in La Liga. A victory against Atletico would guarantee Villarreal the right to continue playing in the top division, but the biggest problem is that the motivation to take three points should not be lacking even for the team from the Spanish capital. Atletico currently occupies the 5th position in the championship, just two points behind the Malaga club, which is in 4th place. This position guarantees a ticket to the Champions League qualifying stage, which also means a chance not only to play against Europe's strongest clubs but also a good opportunity to replenish their budget. 15th place. Granada's Granada CF - 42 points; Opponent in the last round: away - Rayo Vallecano (17th place, 40 points); Everything is clear. Mortal Kombat. See 17th place. However, Granada might be satisfied with a draw if Zaragoza or Sporting Gijon do not win their matches, but this will not save the "squirrels," which are on the edge and in great danger. Rayo Vallecano can do that. When it wants to. How the Granada team will recover from the shocking matches against Real Madrid last weekend, only time will tell. There is still some time left.
