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Primera Liga Review - Plenty Still There For The Taking

As the Spanish League nears its climax there's still plenty up for grabs at the top, though Rayo, Alaves and Recreativo were finally relegated to the 2ond division when Osasuna beat Valladolid 0-2.

With Real Sociedad held to a 1-1 draw by Valencia and Madrid being held by the same score by Celta, Deportivo saw their chances come alive again, beating Atletico Madrid 3-2, to leave them 4 points behind Real Sociedad with 6 points left to play for. Deportivo travel to Bilbao next week and entertain Espanyol on the last day of the season, whilst the Basques have to go to Celta next week and then. take on Atletico Madrid at Anoeta. Real Madrid, still a point behind Sociedad, are at the Vicente Calderon for the Madrid derby next week, before closing their season at the Bernabeu against Bilbao.

Xavi Alonso put Real Sociedad ahead on the half hour, with a headed goal from a corner, but French defender Anthony Reveillere equalised two minutes later. Despite being reduced to 10 men after Ayala was sent off, Valencia hung on for a point that keeps them a point behind Celta in fifth, but with their ambitions for a Champions League place still intact. Celta themselves took the lead at the Bernabeu on Saturday thanks to a clever Mostovoi goal. Raul equalised in the second half, but the Celta defence stood firm for what could be a vital point. Deportivo owed their win to a battling comeback, twice going behind and reduced to 10 men after just 5 minutes when Naybet was sent off, Romero, Makaay and Valeron scored for the home side, with Albertini and Corea netting for the visitors.

Athletic Bilbao's 1-1 draw at Villarreal has opened the door for Barca to grab a UEFA spot, with the Basque team now just 2 points ahead and facing games against Deportivo and Real Madrid. Seville are level on points with Antic's team after beating Recre 1-0, thanks to a spectacular goal from Marcos Vales. Meanwhile Betis and Mallorca kept their faint hopes alive with wins against Alaves and a draw for the islanders at Rayo. Both are now on 48 points, two adrift of Barca.