Relegation rivals set to slug it out in La Liga

Andy West 11:53 27/03/2014
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  • Survival of the fittest: Betis' Paulao (green) will have to be at his best as the relegation battle hots up in La Liga.

    La Liga’s relegation battle takes centre stage tonight with the bottom three all in action.

    Last-placed Real Betis have given themselves hope with an improved run of form since the appointment of new manager Gabriel Calderon.

    But they were sent crashing back down to earth with a 2-0 home defeat against Atletico Madrid on Sunday and now need to bounce straight back with tonight’s trip to Levante.

    Holding a comfortable mid-table position, Levante are one of few teams in La Liga who have little to play for, but Joaquin Caparros’ men will be keen to get back to winning ways after a run of three games without a victory.

    Second-bottom Real Valladolid have a much tougher away trip as they travel to Real Sociedad, although a poor run of form – three defeats in four games – has effectively ended the Basque club’s hopes of a second successive top four finish.

    Valladolid haven’t won since their remarkable upset over Barcelona earlier this month, and the fact they have only mustered one away win all season hardly bodes well for their chances at the Anoeta tonight.

    The other team currently in the bottom three, Getafe, also faces higher-placed but struggling opposition with the visit of Villarreal, whose first season back in the top flight is in danger of fizzling out following a run of four games without victory.

    The evening’s other match sees Valencia attempt to maintain their challenge for a Europa League spot with a trip to struggling Almeria, whose spirits were lifted by a 4-3 win over Real Sociedad on Monday.

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