MADRID, May 16 (Xinhua) -- The midweek round of matches in Spain confirmed FC Barcelona as this season's La Liga champion, while Athletic Bilbao qualified for next season's Champions League and relegation to the second division became a cruel reality for Las Palmas. However, with two rounds still to play, there is plenty left to be decided.
All matches in the penultimate round will be played on Sunday, and celebratory hangovers could influence some results.
Barcelona hosts a Villarreal side that needs a win to secure a Champions League spot and aims to overtake fourth-place Athletic Club Bilbao for a place in next season's Spanish Super Cup. Villarreal's goal difference means a draw against Barcelona will likely be enough, and coach Marcelino Garcia Toral will rely on his pacy attack to exploit any drop in intensity from the champions.
Real Betis's top-five hopes appear to have faded after a 2-2 draw at Rayo Vallecano. Coach Manuel Pellegrini faces decisions ahead of a visit to third-place Atletico Madrid. With sixth place secured and the Conference League final set for May 28, Pellegrini may choose to rotate his squad against an Atletico side that still needs a win to guarantee third place.
Athletic Bilbao could draw level with Atletico in points with a win away to Valencia, which would also secure fourth place. Valencia has shown impressive improvement in the second half of the season, and two wins could still give the club a slim chance of qualifying for Europe.
Real Madrid, playing only for pride, came from behind for a late win away to Mallorca on Wednesday. Coach Carlo Ancelotti, who will depart at the end of the month, faces a growing injury list ahead of Madrid's visit to Sevilla. Despite a disappointing season, Sevilla will hope to end on a high with a win.
The relegation battle remains tense, with Espanyol, Getafe, Alaves, and Leganes all fighting to avoid joining Valladolid and Las Palmas in going down.
Third-from-bottom Leganes visits already relegated Las Palmas needing a win to stay in contention. A loss would confirm their relegation, but a win would put pressure on Alaves, which must win in Valladolid. Espanyol and Getafe also need wins away to Osasuna and Mallorca -- difficult fixtures, as both opponents are still chasing European qualification.
Finally, Real Sociedad hosts Girona in coach Imanol Alguacil's final home game in charge. Despite a disappointing campaign, he is expected to receive an emotional send-off. ■
