Relegation the focus of Thursday's La Liga games

The 33rd round of matches in La Liga concludes with four encounters on Thursday, which could see the first relegation from Spain's top flight confirmed.

Defeat for Valladolid away to Real Betis will confirm its swift return to the second division after a miserable season that has so far seen just four wins, four draws, 24 defeats and 76 goals conceded.

Giuliano Simeone (L) of Atletico de Madrid vies with Henrique Silva of Real Valladolid during the LaLiga football match between Atletico de Madrid and Real Valladolid CF in Madrid, Spain, April 14, 2025. (Photo by Gustavo Valiente/Xinhua)

Betis is unlikely to be in a mood to give anything away as Manuel Pellegrini's side looks for three points to stay in the race to finish in the top five and play in next season's Champions League.

Third-placed Atletico Madrid is at home to Rayo Vallecano in a local derby that comes after last weekend's defeat to Las Palmas ended Atletico's slim title hopes.

Two defeats and a draw in the last three games have dented Rayo's European hopes, but with eight teams from La Liga set to play in Europe next season, Inigo Perez's side still has plenty to play for.

Leganes and Girona go head-to-head in a vital relegation clash. Leganes is second from bottom with 29 points, but could climb out of the bottom three with a win, while Girona travels after a 3-1 home defeat to Betis.

That result leaves the Catalan side three points above the relegation zone after three draws and seven defeats in the last 10 matches, with coach Michel Sanchez under increasing pressure.

Thursday also sees Osasuna aim for a third consecutive win at home to a Sevilla side that has only a six-point cushion over the bottom three and desperately needs a win.

Ante Budimir, who has 18 league goals this season, is the big threat to a Sevilla side that hasn't won since the start of March.

FC Barcelona beat Mallorca 1-0 on Tuesday night, while Real Madrid visits Getafe on Wednesday.