Umar Sadiq and Akor Adams Fight for LaLiga Survival as Nine-Team Relegation Battle Reaches Boiling Point

The closing stages of the 2025/26 LaLiga EA Sports season have produced one of the most compressed relegation battles in the competition’s recent history. With Real Oviedo already confirmed as a second-division club, nine teams spanning 11th to 19th place are separated by a mere four points heading into the final two matchdays — a mathematical scenario that leaves virtually no margin for error.

Among those caught in the crossfire are Nigeria internationals Umar Sadiq of Valencia CF and Akor Adams of Sevilla FC, both currently sitting on 43 points in 11th and 12th place respectively. A third Super Eagles representative, winger Chidera Ejuke, is also part of the Sevilla squad navigating the same precarious position.

Valencia, who have not competed in Spain’s second tier since 1987, face what is arguably the most demanding run-in of any side in the battle. Manager Carlos Corberan’s side must travel to Real Sociedad before hosting FC Barcelona at the Mestalla in their final home fixture of the campaign. Sadiq, a key attacking outlet for Los Che, will need to deliver when it matters most against elite opposition.

Sevilla’s situation carries its own historical weight — the Andalusian club has not suffered relegation since 2001. Following a difficult campaign at the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán, the mid-season appointment of Luis García Plaza has coincided with a notable upturn in form. According to reports, Adams and his teammates have won three consecutive matches to move into 12th place. Their remaining schedule, however, presents a formidable test: a home fixture against Real Madrid followed by an away trip to RC Celta.

Just one point behind on 42 points are CA Osasuna and RCD Espanyol, both in contrasting situations. Osasuna, who were briefly entertaining European qualification ambitions earlier in the season, have collapsed with three successive defeats to find themselves in a fight for survival instead. Espanyol, meanwhile, snapped an alarming run of 18 league games without a win by defeating Athletic Club 2-0 on Matchday 36, buying themselves crucial breathing room above the drop zone.

Girona FC and Deportivo Alavés occupy 15th and 16th place on 40 points. Girona, who spent 12 of the first 14 weeks of the season inside the relegation zone before staging a recovery, have slipped back into danger following a late-season dip in form. Alavés, despite sitting comfortably in mid-table for much of the campaign, dropped into the drop zone at the start of May. They responded by recording a 1-0 victory over champions Barcelona on Matchday 36, but their safety is not yet secured.

The three clubs in the formal relegation places — Elche CF (17th), RCD Mallorca (18th), and Levante UD (19th) — are all locked on 39 points and each retain a mathematical route to safety. Newly promoted Elche face a potentially decisive visit to Girona on the final day. Mallorca, despite the presence of Vedat Muriqi — the division’s second-highest goalscorer — have been hampered by defensive vulnerabilities throughout the season, though April’s Coach of the Month Martín Demichelis has reportedly overseen improvements at the back in recent weeks. Levante, boosted by the form of March Player of the Month Carlos Espí, have won their last two fixtures but remain in the relegation zone due to results elsewhere.

For Sadiq and Adams, the next two rounds of fixtures represent the most consequential football of their respective seasons. Both players face opponents who are competing for their own objectives at the top of the table, making the task considerably more demanding. The outcome of the 2025/26 LaLiga relegation battle is likely to remain unresolved until the final minutes of the season’s last matchday.