Sevilla and Girona ease relegation fears, Real Sociedad's European hopes dented

Sevilla and Girona all but secured their places in LaLiga for next season on Tuesday, earning 1-0 victories over Las Palmas and Real Valladolid respectively.

Both sides entered their games on 38 points, just four clear of the bottom three, but both could see their safety confirmed as early as Wednesday after hard-fought victories.

Cristian Stuani's 80th-minute goal was enough to guide Girona past relegated Valladolid after Paulo Gazzaniga had made several strong saves to keep Michel's men level.

Sevilla, meanwhile, pushed Las Palmas closer to the Segunda Division with their first victory in over two months, with Alvaro Garcia heading in the only goal early in the second half at the Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan. 

Those results mean that if Leganes – currently in 18th – lose at Villarreal on Wednesday, both Sevilla and Girona will be mathematically safe.

Real Sociedad, meanwhile, will see their fading European hopes finally extinguished if Rayo Vallecano beat Real Betis on Thursday, after they were beaten 1-0 by Celta Vigo.

Alfon Gonzalez struck the only goal for Celta at the Reale Arena, as they strengthened their grip on seventh place and Europa League qualification.

Data debrief: Sevilla take to the air

Garcia's winner for Sevilla on Tuesday was their third headed goal in five games under Joaquin Caparros in LaLiga.

That is two more than they managed in 31 games under Garcia Pimienta, who was sacked last month.