La Liga | Gameweek 38

May 24, 2025 at 5.30pm UK

Estadio Municipal de Butarque

Leganes vs Valladolid

Match preview

Three games ago, Leganés were in 19th place with 31 points, four points from safety and eight points behind Espanyol in 14th place.

However, a recent upturn in Leganés' fortunes, combined with Espanyol's poor run of form, has seen the gap close to just two points ahead of the final round of fixtures.

Leganés boosted their survival hopes with a 3-2 home win, but were then stopped in their tracks by a heavy 3-0 defeat away to Villarreal.

They produced a defiant response, though, to clinch a 1-0 victory in Sunday's clash against Las Palmas. Dani Raba scored the decisive goal, firing his team to their second away league win of the season and their first since stunning Barcelona in December.

With all eyes on matchday 38, Borja Jiménez's side know that they will secure their top-flight status if they win and Espanyol fail to beat Las Palmas at the RCDE Stadium on Saturday.

Los Pepineros are favourites to beat a confidence-bereft Valladolid side, but claiming all three points may be easier said than done given their seven-match winless streak since their 1-0 home victory in April 2019.

Valladolid will be eager to bring the 2023–24 campaign to a close after losing 29 of their 37 La Liga matches this season (W4, D4).

Unfortunately for them, they have reinforced their reputation as a 'yo-yo club', having been relegated from La Liga for the third consecutive time.

They ultimately failed to compete in their latest visit to the top flight, holding the league's worst defensive record with 87 goals conceded. They are also the division's lowest scorers with just 26 goals.

La Liga's bottom side will go into Saturday's match having lost their last 11 games, including a narrow 1-0 defeat in Sunday's home match against Alavés.

La Pucela have in fact lost 17 of their last 18 matches (D1), having recorded a 1-0 home win against Real Betis in January. They have also suffered 13 consecutive away defeats since beating Alavés 3-2 in October.

Despite their poor form, Valladolid may be able to draw some inspiration from the fact that they have won two and drawn one of their last three competitive away matches, including a goalless draw at Butarque last season in the second tier.

Recent Performance

Leganes La Liga form:DDDWLW

Real Valladolid La Liga form:LLLLLL

Team News

Leganés will still be without Borna Barišić and Enric Franquesa, who are continuing their recovery from long-term knee injuries.

Valentin Rosier, Matija Nastasić, Yvan Neyou and Darko Brašanac are also battling to prove their fitness in time for Saturday's match.

Forward Munir El Haddadi is also doubtful for the crucial fixture after being substituted in the 20^(th) minute of Sunday's defeat to Las Palmas.

Meanwhile, Valladolid head coach Álvaro Rubio will head into matchday 38 without the injured trio of David Torres, Javi Sánchez and Chuki.

However, defender Joseph Aidoo and midfielder Stanko Juric have recovered from their respective injuries and should be ready to feature in the matchday squad.

Right-back Luis Pérez is unlikely to feature in the away clash, having been omitted from the last two squads for technical reasons.

Possible starting lineup

Leganes possible starting lineup:

Dmitrovic; Altimira, Gonzalez, Saenz, Hernandez; Raba, Cisse, Tapia, Cruz; Garcia, Diomande

Real Valladolid possible starting lineup:

Hein; Candela, Comert, Ozkacar, Aznou; Amallah, Nikitscher; Anuar, Grillitsch, Moro; Latasa