LaLiga Santander is now 30 matchdays into the season, which means that the business end of the campaign is drawing ever closer and that every game and every point feels even more important than before.
That's especially the case when teams have the chance to earn three points at the same time as costing their rivals the three points, as is the case in the direct duels such as the one being played this midweek matchday between Real Betis and Real Sociedad at the Estadio Benito Villamarín on Tuesday night. They are fifth and fourth, respectively, in the table will face each other in what is almost a playoff for Champions League qualification.
Manuel Pellegrini's squad, who lost their last match against CA Osasuna 3-2 and who have lost three of their past four, are almost obliged to defeat Real Sociedad, who are six points ahead as they have 54 points to the 48 of the team from Sevilla. In addition, the presence of Villarreal CF and Athletic Club, who finished Matchday 30 just one and two points, respectively, behind Los Verdiblancos, means they'll have quite a fight on their hands to secure a European berth over these final weeks of the season.
The tough schedule for Real Betis makes this Tuesday's match even more important. After hosting Real Sociedad, they must visit FC Barcelona at the Spotify Camp Nou and Athletic Club at San Mamés, before facing Rayo Vallecano at home and playing the Gran Derbi at the Estadio Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán on Matchday 35.
Meanwhile, Real Sociedad know they could all but seal their place in the Champions League, as a win would take them nine points clear of Real Betis. However, they are struggling for results away from home right now. At home they have beaten Elche CF, Getafe CF and Rayo Vallecano in the last three games, but they've failed to win on the road since Matchday 21, when they conquered RCD Espanyol 3-2.
On the pitch, among the many stars and talented players, there is one duel that stands out and it is between two footballers from the Canary Islands, specifically the islands of Tenerife and Gran Canaria. Two of the most influential players in the match are likely to be Ayoze Pérez and David Silva, were born there and who have been in great form these past few weeks. They'll make this battle for Champions League qualification more than just a tense game, as players like this ensure it'll produce quality football too.
Imanol and Pellegrini are two coaches who both like a similar of possession play. The Basque, though, knows he'll have to try something different to respond against a Real Betis side that won 2-0 at the Reale Arena in the first meeting this season, when the Andalusians showed they can overcome Real Sociedad's game plan.
The team from San Sebastián will feel the pressure too, as they know they could have to sweat up until Matchday 38 of this LaLiga Santander season since they still have to face, in addition to Real Betis, teams of the stature of FC Barcelona, Real Madrid, Atlético de Madrid and Sevilla FC. All of this means that the final few matchdays will be packed full of excitement and great matches, in which the points up for grabs will be harder to win but taste even sweeter.
