LaLiga Hypermotion is reaching boiling point. This weekend sees the final matchday, with one automatic promotion spot and two playoff positions still up for grabs.
The competition’s parity and quality are so high that several teams are still in contention for promotion to LaLiga EA Sports right up to the last minute. Four key matchups will determine who joins Levante UD in the top flight and which clubs will contest the playoffs.
Elche CF, CD Mirandés, and Real Oviedo dream of automatic promotion
Elche, Mirandés, and Oviedo are all dreaming of making the leap to LaLiga EA Sports. They’ll be giving it everything in this last matchday to achieve their goal. As things stand, Elche CF holds the advantage in second place with 74 points, two more than Real Oviedo and CD Mirandés (both on 72), meaning the latter two must hope Elche fails to win.
RC Deportivo v Elche CF
Elche CF travel to face RC Deportivo at the iconic Riazor stadium, a historic venue where they’ll hope to seal promotion. The match will be anything but easy. The Galicians boast a strong squad, with standout talents such as Mario Soriano, Mella, and particularly Yeremay, who could spoil the party for Eder Sarabia’s side.
Elche will stick to their trademark style: building play from the back, long spells of possession to draw out the opponent and create space in behind.
This strategy has made them the team with the fewest goals conceded in the league (34), alongside CD Mirandés as the only teams to have let in fewer than 40 goals. It’s the approach that brought them this far, and they won’t be changing it now.
Real Oviedo v Cádiz CF
Real Oviedo aim to celebrate promotion at home against Cádiz CF, a dangerous opponent who recently beat SD Huesca 4-0. It’ll be a tough task for Veljko Paunović’s men. Despite ups and downs this season that led to a coaching change, Oviedo are ending the season strongly and have earned the right to fight until the very end.
They will rely on tactical discipline and attacking talent, with key players like Santi Cazorla, Colombatto, Chaira, and top scorer Alemao (14 goals). But they must also hope Elche fail to win, as a draw won't suffice due to an inferior head-to-head record against the Ilicitans. Therefore, they need a victory and for RC Deportivo to defeat Elche.
FC Cartagena v CD Mirandés
CD Mirandés travel to face the league’s bottom side, FC Cartagena, who nevertheless won’t make it easy. They recently defeated R. Racing Club and nearly won at La Romareda, showing they’re not to be taken lightly.
Mirandés will stick to their aggressive, high-pressing style, seeking to create chances for forward JoaquÃn Panichelli, who has 20 goals this season.
However, their fate isn’t entirely in their hands — they must win and hope Elche lose. They also can’t finish with the same result as Oviedo due to a head-to-head disadvantage.
R. Racing Club, UD AlmerÃa, and Granada CF seek final two playoff spots
Promotion isn’t just about finishing in the top two. LaLiga Hypermotion offers a playoff chance for four teams to fight for promotion. Two of those playoff spots will go to Elche CF, Real Oviedo, or CD Mirandés. The remaining two are still undecided, with R. Racing Club, UD AlmerÃa, and Granada CF all in contention. One of them will miss out.
A crucial twist is that two contenders face each other: R. Racing Club and Granada CF square off at El Sardinero. Whoever wins will qualify, while a draw favors the hosts. Racing have the home advantage and would go through with a draw, but Granada arrive on a strong run with back-to-back wins.
Since Pacheta took charge, the team has improved significantly and now looks well-positioned to compete. Sunday’s game is a do-or-die final — the winner earns a playoff spot.
UD AlmerÃa are also in contention, playing at home against CD Tenerife, who are hoping to end a dismal campaign with a positive result. Rubi’s side will rely on Luis Suárez, the league’s top scorer with 27 goals, to grab all three points and keep their promotion hopes alive.
It will be a thrilling finale across these five decisive games. Elsewhere, six other matches will be played, with standout fixture Levante UD v SD Eibar, where the champions will aim to secure the LaLiga Hypermotion title and celebrate promotion in front of their fans.