The State of the Game: The League season for European qualification involving six teams
There are now only five match days in La Liga this season, and there is still a lot to play for. Several clubs are currently involved in the race to qualify for the 2024-25 UEFA competitions and the battle is as tight as ever.
Here's a rundown of how each of the clubs are doing in this competition, from fourth-placed Atletico Madrid to ninth-placed Villarreal.
Atletico Madrid (4th, 64 points)
Atletico Madrid have mathematically confirmed their place in Europe for next season, but Diego Simeone hopes that the competition for which the Colchoneros qualify is the Champions League, as UEFA's elite competition is the primary objective for the Estadio Civitas Metropolitano every season. The 3-1 win over fifth-placed Athletic Club in matchday 33 was important, but there are still five match days left.
Remaining matches: Mallorca (A), Celta Vigo (H), Getafe (A), Osasuna (H), Real Sociedad (A)
Athletic Club (5th, 58 points)
Athletic Club they have already guaranteed European football for next season, as they are the Copa del Rey champions. Play on the continent for the first time since 2018 and play in the Europa League at the very least. However, Ernesto Valverde's side are still hoping to add Champions League qualification to what has been a very special season so far.
Remaining matches: Getafe (A), Osasuna (H), Celta Vigo (A), Sevilla (H), Rayo Vallecano (A)
Real Sociedad (6th, 51 points)
As things stand, Real society qualify for the Europa League as the sixth team in the League. Having finished fourth last term and having enjoyed a memorable Champions League campaign in which they won their group and reached the last 16, they would love to play in UEFA's top competition again, but they are currently 13 points from fourth. His priority may be to hold the sixth place. If they look over their shoulders, they will see that Real Betis are just two points behind in the final point of the Conference League.
Remaining matches: Las Palmas (H), Barcelona (A), Valencia (H), Real Betis (A), Atletico Madrid (H)
Real Betis (7th, 49 points)
Under Manuel Pellegrini, The Real Betis they have qualified for Europe in each of the past three seasons. Never before had the club made the UEFA competition for three seasons in a row and now they are aiming to extend that record to four consecutive seasons. On Matchday 32, an Ayoze Perez-inspired 2-1 win at Valencia allowed Los Verdiblancos to leapfrog Los Che and move into seventh place, which is the final European spot, giving access to the Conference League . A draw in El Gran Derbi keeps Real Betis in seventh, but Valencia are just two points adrift and this race for seventh should be fascinating.
Remaining matches: Osasuna (A), Almeria (H), Las Palmas (A), Real Sociedad (H), Real Madrid (A)
Valencia (8th, 47 points)
Losing 2-1 to Real Betis and then 4-2 to Barcelona, Valencia have been running out of European seats in recent weeks. Coming up, Ruben Baraja's charges now have two home games in a row, so they will be looking to get back on track in front of their fans.
Remaining matches: Alaves (H), Rayo Vallecano (H), Real Sociedad (A), Girona (H), Celta Vigo (A)
Villarreal CF (9th, 45 points)
A few weeks ago, it seemed Villarreal they were too far away to have a chance of qualifying for Europe for a fifth consecutive season. However, they have been in really good form of late. With six wins from their last eight games, they have been the second most in-form team in that time. Norwegian striker Alexander Sorloth is banging in the goals and El Submarino Amarillo's defense has improved, so don't rule Villarreal out when it comes to this exciting European run.
Remaining matches: Celta Vigo (A), Sevilla (H), Girona (A), Real Madrid (H), Osasuna (A)
