Two teams needing a point to confirm their survival in the Spanish top flight will do battle on the final day on Sunday, as Elche entertain Getafe.
The sides each find themselves three points above the bottom three in the La Liga table, with Granada and Mallorca also between themselves and the drop zone.
Match preview
© Reuters
With 32 points from 31 La Liga games, Elche sat in major danger of relegation, but they were able to put two crucial victories together back-to-back, firstly beating fellow strugglers Mallorca 3-0.
Francisco's side then faced the tough test of a trip to top-four-chasing Real Betis, and they were able to leave with all three points after an impressive 1-0 win as Tete Morente hit the only goal in the final 10 minutes.
Having then added another important tally to their tally following a draw with Osasuna, Los Franjiverdes have since gone on to suffer three straight defeats, most recently falling to Celta Vigo as Denis Suarez's early goal made the difference.
While those results have seen Francisco's men drop to 15th spot in La Liga, they do boast a three-point lead over the drop zone heading into the final day, meaning a point on Sunday or a failure from any of Granada, Mallorca or Cadiz to win would suffice to maintain Elche's top-flight status for another term.
© Reuters
They meet a Getafe side in an identical situation, with the visitors sat three points above the relegation zone.
Similarly to their hosts, the Azulones' standing in the fight for survival did not look strong, as they sat on 32 points from 32 La Liga games before being able to put a crucial three-point haul on the board as Borja Mayoral fired them to a 2-0 win away at Celta Vigo with a brace.
They have since gone on to play out four consecutive draws to further boost their position, firstly holding Real Betis and Rayo Vallecano to goalless stalemates.
After taking a point from a 1-1 draw away at Osasuna, Quique Sanchez Flores's side faced the unenviable task of a home contest against Barcelona last time out, but they were able to keep the game goalless and add another crucial point to their tally against the odds.
Their five-game unbeaten run has quickly seen the Azulones move clear of danger, and, needing a point at most to confirm their survival, they will look to end the campaign on a high with a positive result.
- W
- W
- D
- L
- L
- L
- L
- W
- D
- D
- D
- D
Team News
© Reuters
Elche will remain without Gonzalo Verdu due to an injury, while Johan Mojica and Fidel both missed out last time out and could also continue spells in the treatment room.
Tete Morente will be pushing for a return in attack, given their struggle for goals, while experienced midfielder Javier Pastore will hope to earn a place in the engine room from the outset.
Pedro Bigas and Pere Milla will return to contention after serving suspensions, and they could both be set for immediate returns to the defence and attack respectively.
Getafe will welcome key centre-back Stefan Mitrovic back to action following a suspension of his own, although he may have to settle for a place on the bench after the Azulones ground out a clean sheet against Barcelona in his absence.
Djene Dakonam, Okay Yokuslu and former Barca man Jorge Cuenca played at the back in that game, and Flores could opt to leave that trio unchanged for the final match of the season.
Star striker Enes Unal will aim to break a five-game goal drought, having hit the net 15 times in La Liga this campaign.
Elche possible starting lineup:
Badia; Palacios, Roco, Bigas, Olaza; Gumbau, Marcone, Pastore; Milla, Morente; Carrillo
Getafe possible starting lineup:
Soria; Suarez, Dakonam, Yokuslu, Cuenca, Olivera; Alena, Arambarri, Maksimovic; Unal, Mayoral
We say: Elche 1-1 Getafe
With both sides all but safe, aside from any dramatic swings on the final day, and a point confirming each of their survivals, we would not be surprised to see them settle for a draw.
Unal has the ability to cause the hosts problems, but we see Francisco's men at least forcing a share of the spoils on home turf.
For additional data used by our team to analyse our suggested result please click here.
