The most thrilling title race in European football right now is in LaLiga SmartBank, Spain’s second division. With one matchday to go, the top four teams are separated by just three points. Granada CF, UD Las Palmas, Deportivo Alavés and Levante UD enter the final matchday knowing that they each have a chance of automatic promotion, but also knowing that they could finish up outside of the top two places.
Making Matchday 42 even more interesting is the direct duel between UD Las Palmas and Deportivo Alavés. The Basque side travel to the Canary Islands just one point behind Los Amarillos, meaning they can leapfrog their opponents with a victory and take automatic promotion for themselves.
Meanwhile, leaders Granada CF host 12-placed CD Leganés knowing that a draw will be enough for automatic promotion and that a win will crown the Andalusian club as champions. Levante UD are preparing for their home fixture against Real Oviedo, maintaining hope of promotion if the others drop points.
Below, we take a look at the various contenders, from leaders Granada CF to fourth-placed Levante UD.
Granada CF (1st, 72 points)
After suffering relegation down from LaLiga Santander last season, Granada CF are close to a quick return. A 3-1 victory over CD Mirandés in Matchday 41 means Granada CF are top of the table with just one matchday remaining. They have by far the best home record this campaign and if they defeat CD Leganés at the Nuevo Estadio de Los Cármenes in Matchday 42 then they will be crowned champions and return to LaLiga Santander. A draw would also be enough for the Andalusian side to clinch promotion.
Remaining fixture: CD Leganés (H)
UD Las Palmas (2nd, 71 points)
UD Las Palmas lost the lead of LaLiga SmartBank in Matchday 40, when they drew with Villarreal B, but they remain in the automatic promotion places. Over the course of this season, the team from the Canary Islands were top of the table for 16 rounds, the most of any club in the division. If they win their direct duel with Deportivo Alavés they will be assured of promotion, while a draw will be enough to go up too, so long as Levante UD don’t beat Real Oviedo by six goals.
Remaining fixture: Deportivo Alavés (H)
Deportivo Alavés (3rd, 70 points)
Deportivo Alavés are chasing a bounce-back promotion, aiming to return straight to LaLiga Santander after being relegated 12 months ago. Even though they enter Matchday 42 in third place, their fate is in their own hands as they will visit second-placed UD Las Palmas. A win on the island would earn the Basque side promotion.
Remaining fixture: UD Las Palmas (A)
Levante UD (4th, 69 points)
Currently on 69 points, just two off automatic promotion, are Levante UD, who are aiming for an immediate return to LaLiga Santander after last year’s relegation. With talents like Jorge de Frutos, Rúben Vezo, Roberto Soldado, Vicente Iborra and José Campaña, the team from Valencia has a lot of top-flight experience in a squad that has gotten better the longer the season has gone on. They need the teams above them to drop points in Matchday 42 to have a chance, but anything is possible in this crazy LaLiga SmartBank season.
Remaining fixture: Real Oviedo (H)
