Sevillista
Starting XI
This weekend the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th place teams battle for Champions League Spots at the same time. These are the final two matches of the season except for a meaningless Barcelona - Athletic this Friday.
Background
Current Standings:
1. Barcelona 82
2. Real Madrid 70
3. Valencia 69
4. Osasuna 65
5. Sevilla 65
Real Madrid will battle for the 2nd/3rd place spots, the former guaranteeing a spot in the Champions League while the latter requires an extra qualifying round. Sevilla and Osasuna will battle for the 4th and final Champions League spot, currently tied at points. The 5th place spot qualifies for the UEFA Cup.
Between Madrid and Valencia, Valencia win the tie breaker having won the first matchup and having tied the second. Between Osasuna and Sevilla, Osasuna win the tie breaker having tied the first leg and having won the second leg.
Scenarios
-Madrid is guaranteed 2nd place with a win or a Valencia loss, or if both teams tie.
-Osasuna is guaranteed 4th place with a win or a Sevilla loss, or if both teams tie.
-Sevilla are guaranteed 4th place if they get more points than Osasuna, ie. a win will get them in if Osasuna ties or loses and a tie will get them only if Osasuna loses.
-Valencia are guaranteed 2nd place if they get more points than Madrid, ie a win will be good if Madrid ties or loses, a tie will be good if Madrid loses.
Notes
-Villa (Valencia) will be going for the Pichichi title, currently 1 goal behind Eto'o. Eto'o could very well play on Friday since he has no World Cup considerations.
-Osasuna have never qualified for the Champions League
-Sevilla have not qualified for the Champions League since they finished 2nd in the 1956/1957 season, going to the CL because the 1st place team, Real Madrid, were automatically in as reigning CL champs.
-The legend, Zidane, will be playing his last match in a Real Madrid jersey.
-Sevilla are coming off their UEFA Cup win and counting both competitions are on a 6-match winning streak, outscoring opponents 15-3. The Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan is sure to be an inferno, hoping to cap off an unforgettable 100 year anniversary season.
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My predictions:
Osasuna 0 - 2 Valencia
Sevilla 2 - 1 Real Madrid.
Villa x2, Saviola, Kanoute, Zidane.
Well, that might be more desire than prediction.