beIN SPORTS

By Andreas Vou (@AndreasVou89)

While the eyes of the majority are keenly glued to the title race in La Liga as Real Madrid chase Barcelona at the top of the table with just three games remaining, the battle for survival is just as gripping.

With Cordoba already down, another six sides still have plenty of work to do in order to avoid the two remaining relegation spots. 

We take a look at each of those who still have plenty of work to do to ensure survival, and their respective chances of doing so. One is no chance of survival, to five being the team look safe for another season at least.

Getafe

Pablo Franco’s side currently look the safest of the six in the relegation battle though four conscutive defeats has thrown them into a precarious position. They will not have to travel outside of Madrid for their remaining three games and while defeat is almost a certainty in the final match at the Santiago Bernabeu, the big game for them is the penultimate one, at home to fellow strugglers Eibar. A win there will guarantee their survival, which is the likelier of any of the other six sides with the same goal.

Survival chance: 5/5

[[{"uri": "/media/63593", "style": "height: 236px; width: 640px;"}]]

Levante

Levante were bottom of the league after 21 matches with just 16 points but the form of David Barral, who has scored nine league goals in the new year, has inspired a revival which, realistically, sees them need just one win to stay up. The next game is the toughest of the lot, at home to Atletico Madrid, but one win from games against third-from-bottom Deportivo La Coruña and at home to already safe Elche should be enough to keep them up.

Survival chance: 4/5

Deportivo La Coruña

With visits to San Mames and the Camp Nou, Deportivo arguably have the toughest run-in of the lot. They must win their home match against Levante sandwiched between those visits to Athletic Club and Barcelona but, bar a shock result in one of those away games, three points from a possible nine are unlikely to be enough. 

Survival chance: 2/5

Almeria

With Deportivo and Granada unlikely to win two of their last three, Almeria would most probably survive with three to four points. They face a tough run of matches but their best hope of a win comes in their next game against Malaga at home. The Andalusians are without a win in eight matches and look set to miss out on European football, so a win there for Almeria is imperative before they face Sevilla and Valencia, and it could be enough to keep them up.

Survival chance: 3/5

[[{"uri": "/media/63592", "style": "height: 288px; width: 640px;"}]]

Eibar

The Basque minnows were the success story of the first half of La Liga. Threatened with exclusion from the first division upon promotion due to financial issues, Eibar were eventually granted access to the top flight and defied the odds by remaining in the top eight until Week 22. However, things have all gone sour since January, as 15 defeats in their last 18 matches sees them just one point above the drop zone.

On paper, they arguably have the easiest remaining games of the lot but as shown on Friday night this game is played on the field, not paper. A defeat to Espanyol means the next game at tiny Ipurua will be against already relegated Cordoba. They absolutely must beat Cordoba and if they can, possibly gain at least a point from Getafe away, then they will stand a good chance of survival.

Survival chance: 3/5

Granada

A surprise away win over Getafe last week has given Granada a slight chance of survival and they have a very good chance to earn back-to-back three points for the first time this season at home to Cordoba. Only if they win that game will they stand a chance of staying up. However, just one more victory is unlikely to be enough and with a visit to Real Sociedad and a home game against Atletico Madrid, they require an almighty effort to survive.

Survival chance: 1/5