Intense Sunday in La Liga Adelante

Osasuna - Real Betis (12:00, El Sadar)

Sunday's matches get underway with two of the division's bigger sides, both of them having been relegated from La Liga BBVA last season. The Navarrans come into the match having lost four in their last five, so a loss for them would surely be disastrous for morale, not to mention their league position. Whereas for the Béticos, a win would put them in a playoff position.

"It's an important match for us", said the Osasuna coach Jan Urban, "given the tricky situation we find ourselves in. The three points would do us good." Julio Velázquez, coach of the Andalusian side, made no bones about his side's approach: "Our plan is to go there and play well, be competitive, and come away with the three points."

Real Valladolid - Girona FC (17:00, Estadio Municipal José Zorrilla)

A top-of-the-table clash. Valladolid, on 21 points, will be looking to overhaul Girona who, on 23 points and on the back of a four-game winning streak, have surpassed expectations.

For the Valladolid coach Rubi, his side's position in the table is irrelevant: "We're delighted to be top, but it doesn't mean much at this point in the season. I'd also be delighted if the fans got to enjoy their side's performance, a winning performance if possible."

RC Recreativo - CD Numancia (18:15, Estadio Nuevo Colombino)

Recreativo, off the back of a 3-2 defeat to Betis, also come in to the match with hopes of a top-of-the-table position. But it won't be easy for the Huelva side, who face a Numancia desperate to avoid dropping into a relegation spot.

"Anyone who knows this division know what a tricky side Numancia are," said José Luis Oltra. "They're going through a difficult patch, but you can never be sure." His opposite number, Juan Antonio Anquela, sounded a note of optimism: "We're looking good. If we play at our right level, we're a tough team for anyone to beat."

CD Leganés - SD Ponferradina (21:00, Municipal de Butarque)

Mid table Leganés receive a visit from a Ponferradina side looking to maintain their position in the playoff places.

Asier Garitano, the coach of the side from Madrid, had only praise for his opponents: "Ponferradina are real competitors, I like their team a lot. They do the simple things well." On the visitors' bench, Manuel Díaz empasized how difficult it is to play a team like Leganés at their home stadium: "The Butarque is a difficult place to go, it won't be easy. They're a side that's adapted well to the division, and they're going along nicely."