The Final Relegation Battle and European Spots Add Drama to the League Finale

La Liga 2024-25 concludes with a thrilling finale, featuring the battle to avoid the dreaded third relegation to Segunda and the competition for two continental spots—one for the Europa League and another for the Conference League. Five teams are vying for three spots, leaving two to face disappointment in a classic football afternoon.

Espanyol and Leganés enter matchday 38 at risk of relegation, with the most dramatic showdown of Saturday starting at 18:30. Either the "Pericos" or "Pepineros" will bid farewell to the top tier, with all the implications this carries. The Catalan side holds the advantage with two more points than their direct rival, but they have lost the head-to-head goal difference. Therefore, a victory against already-relegated Las Palmas at the RCDE Stadium will suffice, but a draw will not if Leganés defeats the also-doomed Valladolid, who have not won in the entire second half of the season.

The second round of matches with significant objectives will follow at 21:00, featuring a three-way contest. Celta de Vigo, Rayo Vallecano, and Osasuna, in that order of standings, have chances to finish in seventh place, granting access to the Europa League; eighth, with the reward of the Conference League; or ninth, which leaves the team just short of continental competition.

Celta holds the advantage, with one more point than their two rivals, thus only needing a victory against Getafe, who have no objectives left, at the Coliseum. Behind them, Rayo, level on points with Osasuna but ahead due to their head-to-head record, will secure the Conference League spot and European competition for the second time in their history if they defeat Mallorca in Vallecas, 23 years after their historic UEFA Cup run in the 2002-03 season, which they entered through the now-defunct fair play criteria.