MADRID, April 22 (Xinhua) -- La Liga closes its midweek round of matches on Thursday with three games that are vital for the struggle to avoid relegation.
Bottom side Oviedo hosts third-placed Villarreal, whose coach Marcelino Garca Toral is still to extend his contract despite an excellent season in La Liga.
Oviedo's survival hopes remain intact after consecutive wins against Sevilla and Celta Vigo, but the club is still six points from safety with just seven games to play, and is reaching the point where any slip-up could be fatal.
Fede Vinas will lead the Oviedo attack, but the home side needs to be wary of Villarreal's threat on the break.
Sevilla won its last game at home to a much-changed Atletico Madrid, but goes into its clash with second-from-bottom Levante just five points ahead of its rival with a five-point cushion above the relegation zone.
Levante is another team making a late charge to avoid the drop, with three wins and two draws from its last six matches, thanks partly to young striker Carlos Espi, who has become a hero with seven goals in that six-game run to keep Levante afloat.
Rayo Vallecano also needs points as it goes into its match at home to Espanyol just three points ahead of 18th-placed Elche - who plays on Wednesday night - and two more than Deportivo Alaves in 17th.
Rayo's efforts in the Conference League have drained its players, but Inigo Perez's side will be optimistic against a rival that has not won in 2026 and whose coach Manolo Gonzalez is coming in for increasing criticism.
In Tuesday's games, Real Madrid won 2-1 at home to Alaves, while Real Betis beat Girona 3-2, Athletic Club defeated Osasuna 1-0 and Mallorca and Valencia drew 1-1. ■
