La Liga survival scrap rages with half the league still at risk

May 11 : Barcelona made winning the Spanish title look like a Sunday stroll down Las Ramblas but while they can relax, half of the clubs in La Liga are still sweating on surviving one of the tightest relegation scraps in recent times.

While bottom club Real Oviedo are all but down and out, Levante in 19th spot and 10th-placed Osasuna are separated by six points ahead of a round of crucial midweek fixtures.

Historically, the survival line in La Liga falls in the high 30s, with 40 points generally enough to stay up.

With three rounds of fixtures remaining this season, however, 40 points looks unlikely to be enough in what is the most intense relegation battle amongst Europe's top leagues.

"We have to show we're ready to be in the mud - this is what the relegation fight is about now, and only the teams that accept that will survive," Elche manager Eder Sarabia said of the qualities needed to stay above the dreaded line.

The situation is complex. With two weeks of the season left, some teams are in the bizarre situation of being in the hunt for European qualification, but also not safe from relegation.

Three wins from their last five games have taken Levante to 36 points while Alaves, who sit just below the relegation trap door in 18th place, have 37.

Girona, who visit Conference League finalists Rayo Vallecano later on Monday, have 38 points with Elche, Real Mallorca and Espanyol all on 39. Seven-times Europa League winners Sevilla, who barely avoided the drop last season, have 40 points.

Valencia are in 12th place on 42, along with Rayo Vallecano and Osasuna - that trio are only three points behind seventh place which would earn a Conference League spot.

Sevilla have found some form in the nick of time with back-to-back home wins