LaLiga Matchday 31 Preview: Euro playoffs - Girona face Atletico; Osasuna meet Valencia

Following the mini pause for Copa del Rey final weekend, LALIGA EA SPORTS resumes this coming weekend and there are several hugely important direct duels in the race for Europe.

The fact that Athletic Club won the cup and are also sitting in the European qualification positions means that seventh place in the standings would now grant access to next season's Conference League. As such, the battle to play continental football has become even wider and the Monday night duel between CA Osasuna and Valencia CF is all the more important.

Real Betis are one of the teams who are targeting that seventh place and they host the opening fixture of the round, when RC Celta visit the Estadio Benito Villamarín on Friday night. Currently eighth and just two points off seventh, Los Verdiblancos have a good chance of qualifying for Europe for a fourth season in a row, however they have lost each of their past four matches and need to show a reaction.

It'll be an action-packed Saturday and the first game should be very entertaining, as fourth-placed Atlético de Madrid take on third-placed Girona FC in the Spanish capital. These two teams produced one of the best games of the season so far when the Catalan side edged a 4-3 thriller in January, and this upcoming duel promises to be just as much fun and just as important in the Champions League race.

The action stays in the capital for a Madrid derby between Rayo Vallecano and Getafe CF. New Rayo Vallecano coach Iñigo Pérez hasn't lost any of his three home games so far and will aim to keep that streak going at the atmospheric Estadio de Vallecas.

League leaders Real Madrid play next, paying a visit to an RCD Mallorca side who'll be looking to bounce back following their loss on penalties