The most interesting battle in La Liga right now is down near the foot of the table, and this weekend has just made it hotter ever further.It all began on Friday night when Celta Vigo defeated rock bottom Almeria to move five points clear of the drop zone.
Oscar Mingueza scored the only goal of the contest and dedicated his impressive goal to his grandmother, who passed away last week, and Celta fans. It was a defeat that all but consigned winless Almeria to the Segunda Division next term.In fact, reports suggest they have already begun planning for life in the second tier.
According to one media outlet, they have already planned to part company with Gaizka Garitano at the end of the season, and the relationship between the Basque manager and his squad is less than harmonious.Recent draws against Atletico Madrid and Athletic Bilbao have eased tensions, and it’s suggested the club wants to avoid paying out his contract while the preferred candidate cannot come in until the summer.
Managers can only take charge of one side in La Liga per season, and former Rayo coach Francisco is the man they supposedly want to take charge of. Francisco has previously coached Almeria and kept them up in 2013–14 before being sacked in December of the following year.
He has since kept Elche up in 2022 and was doing steadily at Rayo Vallecano before a run of one win in 16 games cost him his job. While Almeria are all but down, Granada and Cadiz—the other clubs in the bottom three—still have a chance.
Less so Granada, who shipped five at Villarreal on Sunday, led by an Alexander Sorloth treble, including two in the first 19 minutes. Cadiz are still fighting, however, as was evident with their last gasp equaliser at Vallecano. It’s fair to say defeat would have left them with the uphill task of beating the drop, but it’s still manageable. It was a case of the late show at Vallecas as Cadiz scored deep into stoppage time to deny Inigo Perez his first victory as Vallecano manager.
The hosts had gone in front 12 minutes from time from Florian Lejeune, but a stoppage time leveller from Javi Hernandez ensured a share of the spoils. The best game of the weekend saw Getafe and Las Palmas—two sides showing the minnows how it can be done—share six goals.
Getafe netted twice in the opening 14 minutes courtesy of Jaime Mata and on-loan Manchester United man Mason Greenwood, and despite Sandro Ramirez reducing the arrears, Nemanja Maksimovic added a third before the break.
Yet goals from Sergi Cardona and Munir El Haddadi early in the second period ensured it was honours even. If that match provided the most La Liga 2024 highlights crammed into one game, the main talking point of the weekend arrived a few hours later.
There had already been much speculation in the buildup about the undesirable events that occurred in the corresponding meeting last season. On that occasion, Brazilian forward Vinicius Junior was racially abused by a small section of home supporters, actions that led to an upswell of support and forced football authorities to take action.
The young forward was reduced to tears after confronting a Valencia fan who called him a monkey and made monkey gestures.
Sadly, it has been reported that the talented striker was again racially abused on Saturday night, and an investigation will surely follow. Of course, this time, he was able to make a mockery of his critics with a double as Real fought back from a 2-0 deficit.
Two goals in four first-half minutes from Hugo Duro, his 12th of the campaign, and Roman Yaremchuk had the SBOTOP La Liga 2024 betting odds looking slightly awry. However, Vinicius wasn’t having any of it and ensured his side claimed a point.
It possibly should have been more, but Jude Bellingham was denied a stoppage time winner when the full-time whistle was blown just before the talented England midfielder headed home what he thought was a winner.
As Madrid anger unfolded in an episode that veteran manager Carlo Ancelotti admitted he had never come across before during his extensive football career, Bellingham was shown a red card for his part in the protests.
It was an unedifying end to an exciting game that saw Valencia midfielder Mouctar Diakhaby carried off on a stretcher with what looked like a serious leg injury. That teammate holding their hands over their faces as he was taken off the pitch spoke of the severity, and we wish him a speedy recovery.
When the dust settles, Madrid can still be pleased with a point that was more than high-flying Girona gained as Mallorca moved away from relegation trouble.
Jose Copete notched the only goal in the 33rd minute to inflict a third consecutive away loss on the underdogs, who were unbeaten in 15 successive league games until their 4-0 thrashing by Real three weeks ago.
The final game on Sunday saw two sides both looking upwards in Copa del Rey finalists Athletic Bilbao and Barcelona, looking to move into the second spot after Girona’s setback.
Events in San Mames, though, did little to help either club in their aims (Athletic are hoping to claim a top four berth) as the contest finished goalless.
Furthermore, Barcelona lost Dutch midfielder Frenkie de Jong (ankle) in the opening stages in Bilbao and then talented youngster Pedri (suspected hamstring) before the break to cast a huge doubt over both men before their Champions League second leg meeting with Napoli on Wednesday night.
●●●
CHECK OUT OUR BLOG FOR MORE FOOTBALL STORIES & ODDS
Stay updated with everything sports and betting.
Follow us on social Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
