La Liga final day decides Europe spots

Barcelona have already secured the La Liga title before the final weekend, leaving the last round to decide the remaining European qualification and relegation places. The official La Liga table shows Barcelona on 94 points from 37 matches, 11 clear of second-placed Real Madrid. The final round begins on Saturday, May 23, with nine matches listed at the same time on La Liga’s official fixture page, while Villarreal host Atletico Madrid on Sunday, May 24. ### Which places are still open going into the last round? La Liga’s official standings show the Champions League places already occupied by Barcelona, Real Madrid, Villarreal and Atletico Madrid. Real Betis are fifth on 57 points and Celta are sixth on 51, holding the two remaining European places shown on the league table. Getafe are seventh on 48 points and Rayo Vallecano are eighth on 47, leaving both still able to move into Europe on the final weekend. (laliga.com) The same table shows a tight cluster beneath them. Valencia are ninth on 46 points, while Real Sociedad, Espanyol and Athletic Club each have 45, meaning several clubs still have a mathematical chance to change the final European positions depending on results elsewhere. La Liga’s standings page labels fifth as Europa League and sixth as Conference League. ### Why is the bottom of the table still unsettled? (laliga.com) Girona start the last round 18th on 40 points, Mallorca are 19th on 39 and Real Oviedo are 20th on 29, according to La Liga’s official standings. Oviedo are effectively adrift, but Girona and Mallorca are still chasing safety, with Levante, Osasuna and Elche all on 42 points and Alaves and Sevilla on 43. That leaves several clubs exposed on the final day. (laliga.com) A single win could change the order around the relegation line because the gap from 14th-placed Alaves to 18th-placed Girona is only three points. The official table marks three relegation places, with Girona, Mallorca and Oviedo currently occupying them before the last matches begin. ### Which matches matter most on Saturday? (laliga.com) Saturday’s official schedule includes Alaves against Rayo Vallecano, Real Betis against Levante, Celta against Sevilla, Espanyol against Real Sociedad, Getafe against Osasuna, Mallorca against Real Oviedo, Real Madrid against Athletic Club, Valencia against Barcelona, and Girona against Elche. Those fixtures directly involve clubs chasing Europe, fighting relegation, or both. (laliga.com) Girona against Elche and Mallorca against Oviedo stand out at the bottom because both home sides begin in the relegation zone. Alaves against Rayo, Betis against Levante, Celta against Sevilla, Espanyol against Real Sociedad and Getafe against Osasuna all carry implications for either European qualification or survival. ### What has already been decided at the top? (laliga.com) Barcelona’s title is already settled, and Hansi Flick has also agreed a contract extension that will keep him at the club until at least 2028, according to the Associated Press. The AP report said the new deal includes an option for another season. The official standings confirm there is no title race left to resolve. (laliga.com) Barcelona lead on 94 points, while Real Madrid are second on 83 with one match remaining. ### When will the final picture become clear? Saturday, May 23, is when nine of the 10 final-round matches will be played, according to La Liga’s official fixture list. The last unresolved European and relegation outcomes will depend first on those simultaneous games, before Villarreal and Atletico Madrid meet on Sunday, May 24. (apnews.com) By the end of the weekend, La Liga’s final table will confirm which clubs join the continental places and which three teams go down. (laliga.com) The official standings page is already set to update through matchday 38. (laliga.com)