The race for Europe in La Liga: Three huge games at the top

This weekend throws up a ‘super’ matchday in La Liga, one which could prove decisive in terms of qualification for next season’s European competitions.

With two thirds of the season now played, we’ve reached the business end of the season. Coming up next is a spectacular Matchday 27, with several direct duels between teams near the top of the table, who want to qualify for Europe next season. This weekend, fans can enjoy Valencia vs Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid vs Real Betis and Athletic Club vs Barcelona.

To clarify how European qualification works, currently has four Champions League tickets to give out to the top four, with fifth place going to the Europa League and sixth to the Conference League. This could change if the Copa del Rey champion is one of the teams already qualified for Europe, as their Europa League slot would go to the sixth-place team and seventh position would then become a Conference League berth. But, since there is no cup winner yet and since it could be a team not in this part of the standings, this scenario is still only a hypothetical.

Valencia CF vs Real Madrid: Two clubs with two different missions 

One of the blockbuster games of this super matchday will take place at Mestalla on Saturday March 2nd at 21:00 CEST. Ruben Baraja’s Valencia side are currently looking to get back into Europe, as the club hasn’t been in continental competition since March 2020. This is their fourth consecutive season out of Europe but, with this squad filled with homegrown youngsters and with the support of a fanbase spurring them on, there is confidence that this drought could soon end. Los Che are in the mix but close to Real Betis, Real Sociedad and Las Palmas, all of whom are chasing every possible