The final matchday of the 2015-16 La Liga season is set to offer plenty of excitement, with two teams still in the running for the title. The eternal rivals both finish the campaign away, with Real Madrid travelling to Riazor for the clash against Deportivo La Coruna.

Safe and sound

Deportivo La Coruna have left it late to decide their faith. Victor Sanchez’s men have managed to pull a stunning 2-0 win over Europa League semi-finalists Villarreal in the last round and reach the tally of 42 points, which will be enough for another season in the Spanish top flight. It has been only the second win for Deportivo La Coruna out of last ten La Liga matches and the hosts will be glad to have the ability to welcome Real Madrid without any pressure in the closing round. Moroccan midfielder Faycal Fajr and the team’s top scorer Lucas Perez sealed a win for Deportivo La Coruna, ending the six-game winless run in just the right time. The 27-year-old Spain midfielder Lucas Perez will be the one to keep a close eye on once again as the Deportivo midfielder scored his 17^th goals of the season at Villarreal. Former PAOK player is having a remarkable season and has arguably been the best performer in Victor Sanchez’s team.

Home side will have to deal without their long-term absentee Fabri, who is still recovering from a cruciate ligament rupture.

In addition, Juan Domignuez, Manuel Pablo and German Lux have also been ruled out for the ultimate match of the season due to their respective injuries.

Real Madrid still in the hunt

Things were looking quite dreary for Real Madrid back in February as Zinedine Zidane’s men have been 11 points behind Barcelona at the La Liga standings. A Champions League loss to Wolfsburg put a serious dent in Los Blancos’ Champions League hopes and ambitions, but the situation is now dramatically different. Real Madrid embarked on a fascinating run of results which allowed them to close the gap behind Barcelona to just one point ahead of the final round. Atletico Madrid ruled themselves out of the race with their last week’s loss, but Real Madrid are determined to keep pushing until the very end. Zidane’s men are aware that Barcelona hold the key in their own hands, but will do their best to make thing more difficult for the reigning champions. Los Blancos are heading into the finals match of the season on the back of a nerve wrecking 3-2 win over Valencia in the last round. Going 3-1 at the hour mark, Real Madrid were left fearing for their life after Gomes struck a second for Los Che with only nine minute on the clock. Still, Ronaldo and Co. survived and will now try their best to finish the season on a high.

Zidane will be deprived of his first choice goalkeeper Keylor Navas who is having an Achilles irritation, while the visiting side will also have to do without Lucas Vazquez, who is suffering from a knee contusion.

Verdict

Real Madrid will hit Deportivo hard from the off, eager to put pressure on Barcelona who are visiting Granada at the matching schedule. Zidane’s men will do their part, there is no doubt about it, and will hope for the best. Still, things could change in the closing stages, if Real’s bench receives bad news from Granada.

Top pick: Both teams to score – yes   1.62 (8/13) @Bet365

Alternative pick 1: Real/Draw   26.00 (25/1) @888sport

Alternative pick 2: Ronaldo to score anytime   1.4 (2/5) @WilliamHill