Atletico Madrid travel to Real Valladolid and Real Madrid host Villareal on the final matchday in the La Liga.
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Atletico Madrid will travel to relegation threatened Real Valladolid for their final match day on Saturday. Atletico are top of the League table with 83 points, two points ahead of second placed Real Madrid, who will host Villarreal in the other match of the day. Diego Simeone’s side are full of confidence after the thrilling 2-1 come from behind win over Osasuna in the previous game courtesy of Luis Suarez’ late goal. Meanwhile, Real beat Athletico Club 1-0 to keep themselves alive in the title race going into the final matchday.
Atletico Madrid can win their 11th league title and second under Diego Simeone if they beat Valladolid on Saturday. Diego Simeone’s side has won three of their previous four League matches. Atletico started the La Liga season with a sprint and took a 10 point point lead over Real Madrid by the end of January. They won 16 of their first 19 matches. But then, faltered a little bit and Real closed the gap.
Simeone’s resilient side has somehow managed to stay at the top of the table even though the lead is very slender. The Argentine coach will be going in to Saturdays match with the hopes of winning his second La Liga title, previously they won it in 2013-14 season. On the other hand, Valladolid are 19th in the points table with 31 points, two points away from survival. The home side will need to win at any cost to have any chance of staying in the top division for one more season.
Real Madrid host the Europa League finalist’s Villarreal in a must win match to have any chance of retaining the La Liga title. Zinedine Zidane’s side have won three of their last four league games and have a better head-to-head record against the leaders. Return of talisman Sergio Ramos, who injured himself in the Champions League semi-final will be a huge boost to the home side. Whereas, Belgian star Eden Hazard will miss the match due to injury along with midfielder Toni Kroos who has tested positive for COVID-19.
Real has been struggling with a number of injury problems throughout the season. But despite all that Zidane has somehow managed to keep his team alive in the title race going in to the final matchday. Defender Nacho’s solitary goal earned them three points in the last match.
French striker Karim Benzema, who was recalled into the French national team after nearly seven years has been in scintillating form for this season. The 33-year-old forward has scored 29 goals and registered 8 assists in all competitions so far.
Seventh placed Villarreal are one point behind fifth placed Real Sociedad. Unai Emery’s side have so much to play for, as a win on Saturday could ensure them a fifth place finish, depending on other results. They have another way to qualify for next seasons Champions League when they take on Manchester United in next Wednesday’s Europa League final.
Title race, relegation battle and race for European football – Saturday’s La Liga fixtures will have everything to fight for.
