Celta Vigo Boost Survival Hopes, Granada Relegation Looms
Celta Vigo’s dramatic 3-2 victory over Villarreal on Sunday has boosted their chances of La Liga survival, while Granada’s 3-0 defeat at Sevilla has all but sealed their relegation.
Anastasios Douvikas’ late goal secured Celta’s triumph at Balaidos against a depleted Villarreal side, who had Santi Comesana dismissed after just 17 minutes for a reckless tackle. The Galicians now hold an eight-point advantage over the relegation zone with four matches remaining.
Granada’s hopes of avoiding the drop took a significant blow with their heavy defeat at Sevilla. The Andalucians appear destined to join Almeria in the second division next season, while Cadiz, currently 18th, still harbor hopes of salvation.
Despite losing to Real Madrid on Saturday, Villarreal’s chances of survival were boosted by Rayo Vallecano’s 1-0 defeat at Almeria on Sunday. Cadiz trail Mallorca by six points and Rayo and Celta by eight.
Alaves dealt a blow to Valencia’s European aspirations with a 1-0 victory at Mestalla, leaving Ruben Baraja’s team eighth in the standings. Real Betis, seventh, secured a 2-0 win at Osasuna to move five points clear of Valencia in the race for European football. With Copa del Rey champions Athletic Bilbao already guaranteed a Europa League spot, a top-seven finish will secure continental qualification.