Elche need three points against a Granada looking for a break
MADRID, 1 One. (EUROPA PRESS) –
Real Betis receives RC Celta this Sunday on matchday 19 of LaLiga Santander with the intention of consolidating its third position in the table, while Real Sociedad wants to change its bad dynamics of results with the New Year against Alavés.
Despite the painful defeat in San Mamés with which they ended 2021, Betis is third and has three points of income over Rayo Vallecano, fourth. Those of Manuel Pellegrini, as in fact that of Madrid, are the revelation of the season, but the intention of the Andalusians is to continue the streak in 2022.
For Celta the year ended well, with a win against Espanyol, but the Galicians have only 20 points, five above relegation. The numbers are with the Betics who also recover Fekir and Borja Iglesias and, despite the casualties due to coronavirus, Pellegrini will be able to make an eleven of guarantees.
Those of Eduardo Coudet have had 12 casualties due to injury and infected by COVID, but they also recover troops in the face of the visit to Benito Villamarín. After an irregular first round, Celta need to find results if they want to aspire to return to the European zone and not suffer another year down.
In the same way, the Real asks 2022 for a third change in their luck and streak of results, which is already four defeats and a draw in the last five league games. Those of Imanol Alguacil are not free of casualties due to the virus, although the club has not revealed their names, plus that of Oyarzabal due to sanction.
All in all, the visit to a Deportivo Alavés that marks the relegation has to mean three points for the ‘txuri urdin’ team if they don’t want to get off the hook from a tight fight for the European zone. The great start keeps Real sixth, but the margin of failure is over. For their part, those from Vitoria changed managers in the last week of the year with the dismissal of Javi Calleja.
José Luis Mendilibar is now in charge of refloating an Alavés that with 15 points marks the descent but is tied with Elche and Getafe. The babazorros have not won for six days and aspire to turn the situation around under the Mendi effect and with the energy of a derby in Mendizorroza.
In the fight from below, Elche also receives this Sunday a Granada that wants to gain peace of mind at Martínez Valero. The Andalusians have two draws and three victories in the last five days, the last one against Atlético, and a new victory would provide an already more important cushion with the relegation zone.
On the other hand, in addition to the urgency, the Elche team wants to hold the foot of the takeoff to a Granada that if it loses it would again be aware of the danger. Franciso has complained because the day continues when Elche announced 12 positives in COVID at the beginning of the week and, pending the tests, he will have to form an eleven of guarantees after a victory in 10 games.
– PROGRAM FOR THIS SUNDAY OF LALIGA SANTANDER.
Getafe – Real Madrid. Melero López (Andalusia) 14:00.
Athletic – Rayo Vallecano. Figueroa Vázquez (C. Andalusz) 16.15.
Elche – Granada. Cordero Vega (C. Cantabro) 16.15.
Alavés – Real Sociedad. From Cerro Grande (C. Madrid) 18.30.
Betis – Celta. Soto Grado (C. Riojano) 18.30.
Mallorca – FC Barcelona. Mateu Lahoz (C. Valenciano) 21:00.