The antepenultimate round of the 2022–23 LaLiga Santander season is a midweek one, and each of the 10 games on Matchday 36 has a significant stake in it. Every game played on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday is crucial for at least one of the teams involved, and in most cases for both, whether it's the fight to avoid relegation or the race to qualify for Europe.
The first two matches of the midweek round are RC Celta vs. Girona FC and Real Sociedad vs. UD Almera on Tuesday at 19:30 CEST. Both of these games feature a squad that hopes to play in Europe taking against a side that is concerned about the possibility of being demoted. The teams who are most in danger of dropping to the lower division are RC Celta and UD Almera, both of whom have 39 points, just four more than Real Valladolid in 18th position. There is a lot on the line in these two games with Girona FC aiming for their first-ever European qualifying and Real Sociedad very certain to finish in the top four.
Later on, Tuesday night, champions FC Barcelona will look to bounce back from their Saturday night home loss to Real Sociedad. Although Barça have already lifted the LaLiga Santander trophy, Xavi Hernández wants his team to finish the season strong and they’ll visit a Real Valladolid side who are currently inside the bottom three and staring into the abyss. The Pucela have lost five in a row, but anything can happen in LaLiga Santander.
There are five matches on Wednesday, three of which start simultaneously at 19:30 CEST and include Real Madrid vs. Rayo Vallecano, Elche CF vs. Sevilla FC, and Villarreal CF vs. Cádiz CF. Given that each of these three games contains a team vying for European qualifying, the standings might change significantly over those two hours. When Cádiz CF travels to Villarreal CF for a battle of Los Amarillos, they will likewise be giving it their all, but for a totally different reason because the Andalusian team is desperate to get even further away from the relegation zone.
Later on Wednesday night, there are two additional games, one of which is Real Betis vs. Getafe CF. Although José Bordalás, the new Geta coach, has some unpleasant memories of Los Verdiblancos after losing to Manuel Pellegrini in last season's Copa del Rey final while at Valencia CF, it is important to keep in mind that Bordalás had a stellar record versus Real Betis during his previous tenure as Getafe CF manager. Bordalás competed in eight Real Betis vs. Getafe CF matches, winning four, drawing two, and losing two. He is aware that right now, a point or two would be much-appreciated.
The other later kick-off on Wednesday night is RCD Espanyol vs Atlético de Madrid. With the home side currently in 19th place, they need victories and will have to give their all against Diego Simeone’s charges. A Sergi Darder goal earned Los Pericos a 1-1 draw against Atleti in Spain’s capital earlier in the season, so there is reason for optimism for supporters of the Catalan club.
On Thursday, all eyes will be on RCD Mallorca vs Valencia CF when it kicks off. Los Che saw how their former player Kang-in Lee scored a late winner at Mestalla when RCD Mallorca won the previous meeting between these sides 2-1, so they’ll hope for a better result when they make the short trip across the Mediterranean Sea to face Los Bermellones. Even though RCD Mallorca are already mathematically safe, Valencia CF are not and will play with purpose from the first minute to the last.
The final fixture of Matchday 36 is especially intriguing, as CA Osasuna will host Athletic Club for a head-to-head duel with a Conference League ticket on the line. The team from Pamplona know that a victory would move them ahead of the Basques in the LaLiga Santander standings, while Athletic Club will want revenge for their Copa del Rey semi-final heartbreak at the hands of Los Rojillos. It’s always competitive and intense when these two clubs meet, and it should be as thrilling as ever given that European qualification is on the line.
Nigeria TIMINGS:
Tuesday, 23rd May, 7:30 p.m., Real Sociedad vs Almeria
Tuesday, 23rd May, 7:30 p.m., Celta Vigo vs Girona
Wednesday, 24th May, 7:30 a.m., Valladolid vs Barcelona
Wednesday, 24th May, 7:30 p.m., Elche vs Sevilla
24th May, 8:00 p.m., Villarreal vs Cadiz
Wednesday, 24th May, 3:00 p.m., Real Madrid vs Rayo Vallecano
Thursday, 25th May, 7:30 a.m., Real Betis vs Getafe
25th May, 7:30 a.m., Espanyol vs Atletico Madrid
Thursday, 25th May, 8:00 p.m., Mallorca vs Valencia
Friday, 26th May, 8:00 a.m., Osasuna vs Athletic Club
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