La Liga Matchday 36: Real Madrid Host Relegated Oviedo, Valencia Face Rayo, Girona Battle Sociedad

Thursday, May 14, 2026, brings a trio of significant La Liga fixtures, with Real Madrid aiming to consolidate second place against an already-relegated Real Oviedo side. Elsewhere, Valencia host Rayo Vallecano in a tightly contested mid-table battle, and Girona will fight for survival hopes when they welcome Real Sociedad to Montilivi.

Real Madrid's Quest for Second Place

Real Madrid enter their Matchday 36 encounter against Real Oviedo at the Bernabéu looking to rebound from a challenging period that saw Barcelona confirmed as La Liga champions. With the league title out of reach, securing second place is the remaining objective for Carlo Ancelotti's side. A single point from this match would guarantee their runners-up finish.

Their opponents, Real Oviedo, have already been condemned to Segunda División football for the upcoming season, arriving in Madrid with only pride at stake. The last meeting between these two clubs in August saw Real Madrid secure a comfortable 3-0 away victory, and a similar outcome is widely anticipated given the current circumstances of both teams.

Valencia vs. Rayo Vallecano: A Mid-Table Showdown

The Estadio de Mestalla will be the venue for a compelling clash between Valencia and Rayo Vallecano. Both teams are separated by just one point in the La Liga standings, setting the stage for a potentially evenly matched contest. Valencia will be looking to build on a morale-boosting victory at Athletic Club in their last outing, aiming to leverage their strong home record this season.

Rayo Vallecano, however, travel to Valencia in fine form and have proven throughout the campaign that they are a resilient side. Despite Valencia's home advantage, Rayo's recent performances suggest they are capable of securing a result, making a draw a plausible outcome for this encounter.

Girona's Survival Battle Against Real Sociedad

Girona face a critical fixture at Montilivi as they host Real Sociedad, with their La Liga survival hopes hanging in the balance. Currently languishing in 17th position, Girona are desperate for points to pull themselves away from the relegation zone. Real Sociedad, meanwhile, occupy eighth place and will be looking to strengthen their European qualification aspirations.

While Girona have a greater incentive to win, their historical record against Real Sociedad at home is not encouraging, having failed to win any of their previous four top-flight meetings. Furthermore, Girona are winless in their last five La Liga outings, suggesting they might have to settle for a share of the spoils against a strong Real Sociedad side.

Key facts

These Matchday 36 fixtures highlight the diverse narratives unfolding in La Liga as the season reaches its climax. Real Madrid's pursuit of a runners-up spot, the tight mid-table race involving Valencia and Rayo, and Girona's desperate fight for survival all contribute to a compelling set of matches for football fans.

Fuente: Sports Mole Football RSS, https://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/real-madrid/la-liga-predictions/feature/wounded-real-madrid-to-bounce-back-from-title-disappointment-thursdays-la-liga-predictions-and-previews_597445.html