La Liga Final Day Preview: The Europa League Race
The last day of La Liga takes place today and who will participate in next season’s Europa League and Europa Conference League is still to be decided. The teams that finish in 5th and 6th will be in the Europa League next season, while 7th place will be in the Europa Conference League. Those fighting it out are Real Sociedad, Real Betis and Villareal. All the sides are guaranteed European competition next season, they are just not sure what competition they will be in. Villareal also have a chance at entering the Champion League if they win the Europa League final.
What positions do the teams currently occupy?
Real Sociedad are in 5th place with 59 points.
Real Betis are in 6th with 58 points.
Villareal are in 7th place and they also have 58 points.
What is their league form?
Real Sociedad: WLWLW
Real Betis: WDWDD
Villareal: WWLWL
What are the final day’s fixtures?
Celta Vigo v Real Betis
Osasuna v Real Sociedad
Real Madrid v Villareal
What are the permutations?
What do Real Sociedad need to do to get a Europa League place?
If Real Sociedad win, they will get a Europa League place.
A draw would leave them relying on either Real Betis or Villareal dropping points.
A loss would mean they would be looking for either Real Betis or Villareal to drop points. Though if Villareal pick up a point, the head-to-head between Real Sociedad and Villareal is level, meaning goal difference would be the decider. Real Sociedad currently have a better goal difference than Villareal by 3, meaning that if Real Sociedad lost and Villareal drew, they would have to lose by two goals or less, due to Villareal being ahead on goals scored.
What do Real Betis need to do to get a Europa League place?
A Real Betis win would secure themselves a Europa League place.
A draw would only be enough if Villareal fail to win.
A loss would leave them relying on Villareal losing.
What do Villareal need to do to get a Europa League place?
If Villareal win, they will gain a Europa League place if either Real Sociedad or Real Betis drop points.
A draw will be enough if either Real Sociedad lose by more than two goals or Real Betis lose.
What is the team news for the three teams?
Real Sociedad will be without Mikel Merino, Asier Illaramendi, Urko Gonzalez and Aihen Munoz.
Real Betis with be without Victor Camarasa and Dani Martin. Paul Akouokou is a doubt for the game.
Villareal may make changes with an eye on the Europa League final on Wednesday. Samuel Chukwueze, Juan Foyth and Vicente Iborra are out injured.
When are the games?
The final day of La Liga will take place today at 18:30 local time or 17:30 BST.
