Punto Cuarto – the race for the fourth La Liga spot

Eliseu of Malaga CF (C) celebrates scoring the first goal during the UEFA Champions League group C match between AC Milan and Malaga CF at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on November 6, 2012 in Milan, Italy. (Getty Images)

The football season has witnessed a lot of ups and downs for many teams. La Liga is no different. With Barcelona having virtually sealed their 22nd domestic crown and the Madrid clubs vying for the 2nd and 3rd spot (automatic qualification to the UEFA Champions League), the fight for the 4th spot (punto cuarto) is all set to be a nail-biting affair.

Teams in contention:

The current La Liga table (as on 1/4/13)

4. Sociedad 48 points (29)5. Malaga 47 points (29)6. Valencia 46 points (29)7. Betis 44 points (29)8. Getafe 43 points (29)9. Rayo 41 points (29)10. Levante 40 points (29)

7 teams are fighting for the “punto cuarto” with only 10 points separating the 4th placed team and the 11th.

Let us analyse team-by-team their respective chances.

Real Sociedad:

The side from San Sebastian currently are in the pole position for the “punto cuarto.” Real Sociedad have surprised all with their impressive performances this season and have also claimed a major scalp in the form of Barcelona.

Remaining fixtures:

Malaga (H)Rayo (A)Osasuna (A)Valencia (H)Getafe (A)Granada (H)Sevilla (A)Real Madrid (H)Deportivo La Coruna (A)

Expected finish:

“Txuri-urdin” has a tricky fixture list with them playing the teams vying for “punto cuarto.”They may get 16-18 points in their remaining 9 fixtures.

Expected points: 65 points.

Malaga:

The Andalusian club is continuing its rich vein of form and has upped the ante by reaching the quarter finals of the UEFA Champions League. Although UEFA banned them for one season (European competitions), the club aren’t too concerned by it.

Remaining fixtures:

Real Sociedad (A)Osasuna (H)Valencia (A)Getafe (H)Granada (A)Sevilla (H)Real Madrid (A)Deportivo La Coruna (H)FC Barcelona (A)

Expected finish:

Malaga have a very tough set of away fixtures. But they could get a result in either the Madrid or Barca fixture assuming that both sides will be more concerned with fighting on the European front.

Expected points: 60 points.

Jonas (R) of Valencia celebrates scoring with his teammate Roberto Soldado during the UEFA Champions League group F match between Valencia CF and LOSC Lille Metropole at Estadi de Mestalla on October 2, 2012 in Valencia, Spain. (Getty Images)

Valencia:

The team which is usually a regular at the elite European competitions is having its work cut out this season. The Los Murcielagos have dropped points more than often when not expected.

Remaining fixtures:Valladolid (H)Espanyol (A)Malaga (H)Real Sociedad (A)Osasuna (H)Rayo (A)Getafe (A)Granada (H)Sevilla (A)

Expected finish:

Valencia has four home games remaining, out of which they are expected to win 3 of them. The game against Malaga could be a decider for either of the teams.

Expected points: 62 points.

Real Betis:

Another Andulasian club which is fighting for the coveted 4th spot, Betis weren’t expected at the start of the season to mix it up with the big dogs, but the script has turned out quite differently.

Fixtures remaining:Granada (A)Sevilla (H)Real Madrid (A)Deportivo La Coruna (H)FC Barcelona (A)Celta Vigo (H)Mallorca (A)Zaragoza (H)Levante (A)

Expected finish:

Los Verdiblancos have half of their fixtures on their home turf. The good part for them is that most of the matches are against relegation threatened sides (home).

Expected points: 61 points.

Getafe:

Another team who weren’t expected to do great this season are in the running for “Punto Cuarto”. The Madrid club has a decent chance of making it, but will have to hope for a few results to go their way as well.

Remaining fixtures:

Atl. Madrid (H)Valladolid (A)Espanyol (H)Malaga (A)Real Sociedad (H)Osasuna (A)Valencia (H)Rayo Vallecano (H)Granada (A)

Expected finish:

Getafe are unpredictable in form but can be expected to give a fight to the other clubs. They have an outside chance of finishing in the top 4.

Expected points: 56 points.

Rayo Vallecano:

Another club which was expected to fight for the relegation battle has turned the script of the Spanish league upside down. Rayo’s performances have forced people to look beyond Real Madrid and Atl. Madrid. Currently, they are not expected to finish in the top 4 but it isn’t over until it’s really over.

Remaining fixtures:

Celta Vigo (A)Real Sociedad (H)Mallorca (A)Osasuna (H)Zaragoza (A)Valencia (H)Levante (A)Getafe (A)Atl. Bilbao (H)

Expected finish:

Rayo have a decent chance of qualifying for the Europa League. UCL seems a bit far away from them right now.

Expected points: 57 points.

Levante:

Although the Granotes are 8 points away from the “Punto Cuarto”, they have the fighting spirit to turn impossible into possible. They previously shocked everyone in the early 2011-2012 season by sitting in 1st place in the La Liga standings, so stranger things have certainly happened.

Remaining fixtures:

Real Madrid (A)Deportivo La Coruna (H)FC Barcelona (A)Celta Vigo (H)Mallorca (A)Zaragoza (H)Rayo Vallecano (H)Atl. Bilbao (A)Betis (H)

Expected finish:

Levante, currently are 8 points adrift and with many teams vying for it, they will have to virtually win all their matches to have any chance of qualifying for the “Best club competition in the World”.

Expected points: 57 points.

With the season approaching to a close, there could be a lot of twists and turns and we may see a surprising winner for the race to PUNTO CUARTO.