While many will gaze towards who will win La Liga, the race at the bottom offers added interest – most notably the promoted clubs in Deportivo La Coruna, Cordoba and Eibar. Each of them will look to make sure come May they will avoid relegation.

Eibar’s story is well known and inspiring amongst the promoted clubs. Los Armeros finished atop the Segunda Division despite having the lowest budget in the League. Moreover, as a result of a popular crowd funding campaign, Eibar complied with a Spanish FA law where they had to raise €1.7m in a matter of months – 25% of the average expenses in Liga Adelante during the 2013-14 campaign.

With Los Armeros overcoming that financial barrier they have bolstered their squad by using links with their Basque cousins, Real Sociedad and Athletic Bilbao, either on loan or free transfers. Coach Gaizka Garitano has sought to bring in experience in midfield with the signing of Derek Boateng from Rayo Vallecano. Moreover, Garitano has done well to acquire winger Dani Nieto from Barcelona, with the 23-year-old eager to prove his worth in La Liga.

Eibar will look to use the Estadio Municipal de Ipurua to great effect by implementing their raucous crowd to roar their team on. Garitano will also look to frustrate teams by deploying his team to soak pressure before hitting on the counter. Losing Jota, who scored 11 goals last season while on loan from Celta Vigo, is a blow so every player will have to contribute goals. If Los Armeros can maintain a good home record and pinch a few results away from home then they have more than enough to stay up.

If Eibar’s promotion was historic then Cordoba’s was dramatic. A late goal by Uli Davila sealed promotion in their playoff against Las Palmas on away goals. Reaching the top flight for the first time in 42 years has allowed Coach Albert Ferrer to delve deep in the transfer market.

Several loan signings have been made of which four are notable – Valencia’s young winger Federico Cartabia, Fiorentina’s 21-year-old Brazilian striker Matos, right back Aleksander Pantic from Villarreal and Juventus’ central midfielder Fausto Rossi. These acquisitions will serve to bolster the spine of the team from defence to attack.

Moreover, by signing striker Mike Havenaar from Dutch club Vitesse Arnhem, it highlights Ferrer’s intention to score goals. The key to surviving in La Liga is to get a striker that can score you at least 15 goals per season. However, the key for Los Califas is not just whether they can score goals, but can they keep it tight in defence? If Cordoba can’t then trouble beckons within the Estadio Nuevo Arcangel.

As for Deportivo La Coruna they have returned after two years in Liga Adelante. Fans of Los Brancoazuis are well aware the days of La Liga glory and memorable European nights are but a distant memory.

But Coach Victor Fernandez has bought shrewdly in the transfer market to make sure teams will face a hard fight at EstadioMunicipal de Riazor. The signing of Isacc Cuenca from Barcelona is clever, as it provides a platform for Cuenca to show his worth. Pep Guardiola while at Camp Nou saw his talent but injuries have curtailed his progress. In addition, the signing of Jose Rodriguez from Real Madrid will add stability, with the youngster part of Los Blancos’ cantera. With their fervent home support clubs will find going to Galicia will be no easy task.

You could argue all three clubs will fight tooth and nail to stay in the top flight, making for a fascinating relegation race.

La Liga - Club News