This race is quite interesting everywhere between 1-8 and 16-20
Should look at who each individual mid-tier opponent faces:
Villarreal - (Getafe, Arsenal EL, Celta, Valladolid, Seville, Real) yikes, one borderline one definite relegation contender + 2 title contenders
Granada - (Cadiz, Betis, Real, Alaves, Getafe) fighting for EL, could get it automatically if Villarreal beats MU
Sociedad - (Huesca, Elche, Atleti, Valladolid, Osasuna) bunch of relegation contenders, not easy and could drop points making it difficult for Atleti that week
Relegation wise we have Huesca (27 pts), Elche (30), Valladolid (30), Alaves (31) and maybe Getafe (34)
- Eibar as good as relegated, last won a game of football on January 3rd (easy 3 points for anyone facing, unless Mendilibar inspires a miracle)
- Huesca will fight tooth and nail each week but some tough games ahead, none vs direct relegation contenders but have Sociedad and Betis who will want points to stay in EL spots
- Elche mostly same, will have a big game vs Alaves, probably want to take points off Atleti this weekend and Sociedad next week if they can help it
- Alaves got it relatively easy and should be safe by the time of Seville fixture in the final week, but the Granada game is a funny one as could influence the Villarreal EL spot so if still doubt by that point, could mean that Real have a fucking tough final game vs Villarreal in the final week - one team trying to win title, the other to remain in EL
- Valladolid barely wins games but often draws or loses at narrow margins vs big teams (Barca 0-1 0-3, Real 0-1, Seville 1-1 twice, Atleti 0-2) toughest schedule of all relegation candidates and may want to play for draw each week
But hey, could all be void if Villarreal manage to win the EL also. Don't think they'll be gambling on that one though.