The La Liga season is set to really heat up over the coming weeks, with plenty still up for decision on the relegation, European, and title fronts.
The action in Spain gets back underway tomorrow night after a hiatus since early March when the coronavirus took hold.
Graham Hunter joined Eoin and Nathan on OTB AM, and seriously whetted the appetite for the coming weeks of action, as Real Madrid look to close the two-point gap on La Liga leaders Barcelona.
"There isn't a single team at the bottom that is absolutely guaranteed to go down. I feel for poor old Leganes because they've got several players out of contract who'll be saying 'As soon as this league's out of the way I'll get a nice money move'.
"So I worry a bit about Leganes. Other than that the bottom there are several clubs that could still drop in or save themselves.
"In terms of the race for Europe it's absolutely fabulous. You've got at the moment Real Sociedad top four, with Atléti [in sixth] saying 'We can't afford to not be in the top four, our debt issue is such that we have to be in the Champions League next season.'
"You've got Getafe who play a style of pick-pocket football. They're as close to you on the pitch as somebody who is trying to nick your wallet or phone would be.
"That was intense running and intense pressing and intense work, which they're not going to be immediately able to do. They're bubbling at around Europa League and Champions League places. Getafe, who looked like the fairytale story to get in the top four now might not."
Getafe's coach Jose Bordalas with his players during training session. June 5,2020.(Photo by Acero/Alter Photos/Sipa USA)Hunter also addressed the race for the La Liga title, and said a key run of games coming up later this month could prove crucial.
"And then right at the top of the league, you've got a two-point gap to Barcelona... this has been their worst season since Frank Rijkaard left in terms of consistency, physical sporting intensity.
"They've been saved by grit, the real hard-nosed grit of Pique and Stegen, and the genius of Messi. You've got Real Madrid, who, if they could score enough goals to match their possession, if they could win at home more regularly, they would be top instead of two points behind.
"The thing they've got up their sleeve is that the two El Clásico's were a draw and then a win for Madrid at home. If Barcelona and Madrid finish equal on points Madrid will automatically win the title on the head-to-head rule.
"At the moment you would say there are massive imponderables. Does it make it easier for teams to come to camp now with no fans there? I don't think it necesarily does.
Diego Llorente of Real Sociedad and Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona during the La Liga match, date 27, between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid at Camp Nou Stadium on March 7, 2020 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by pressinphoto/Sipa USA)"Barcelona's fans don't intimidate teams. Barcelona use the width of the pitch well, Real Madrid are putting the Bernabéu under major renovation works, so they're going to be playing at their training ground, at the Alfredo di Stefano.
"We start on Thursday night with Sevilla at home to [Real] Betis. One of the saddest sights we'll see in Spain, because of the stripping away of fans, is that crazy, passionate, frying-pan hot derby without fans.
"It's sad but necessary, but by the weekend it's Real Madrid at home to Eibar, Barcelona at Mallorca, after which there's a little conglomeration of games where Real Madrid need to play Real Sociedad and Valencia, Barcelona have to play Sevilla and Athlétic Bilbao.
"That's the Amen Corner of games where this title will turn. It's tight, it's as personal as usual, it's really hard to call.
"The bookies will tell you Barca, I'm going to suggest to you Real Madrid."
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