Villarreal forward Adrian Lopez. (Photo : Getty Images)
Fourth-running team Villarreal CF (18-8-10, 64 points) secured the fourth and final UEFA Champions League spot for next season after their win in the previous matchday. They now host lowly club Deportivo de La Coruna (7-11-18, 39 points) in a 2015-2016 La Liga game at the Estadio El Madrigal on Sunday, May 8th.
Villarreal blanked surging squad Valencia CF, 2-0, on the road at the Mestalla Stadium last Sunday to officially gain a Champions League berth next season, as reported by The Sun.
Midfielder Samu Garcia and striker Adrian Lopez scored the two goals at the 14th and 33rd minutes respectively to snap the Yellow Submarine's three-game winless spell.
The top three teams at the end of this term will automatically qualify in the group stage of Europe's premier club continental tournament while the fourth-placed team advances to the playoff round.
El Submarino Amarillo's better head-to-head record against fifth-placed squad Athletic Bilbao ensures that they will retain the no. 4 spot in the overall standings even if they lose all of their remaining games this season.
Meanwhile, a 10-man Deportivo La Coruna side dropped a 0-2 decision to bottom three squad Getafe CF at their own home ground of Estadio Municipal de Riazor in a match held last Sunday, as per ESPN.
Azulones captain Pedro Leon netted the opening goal of the contest four minutes before the halftime break, giving the visitors the upperhand after 45 minutes of action.
The Branquiazuis tried to come back in the second half, but Costa Rican midfielder Celso Borges was booked with a second yellow card after a bad foul and was sent off at the 64th minute to hand the hosts a one-man disadvantage for the rest of the way.
Getafe took advantage of their drawback to score a second goal with five minutes remaining in the game, courtesy of a right-footed strike from the left side of the six-yard box by defender Carlos Vigaray off an assist by Leon.
The predicted result is a 2-0 victory for Villarreal.
Villarreal starting lineup (4-4-2 formation): Areola; Rukavina, Musacchio, Bonera, Marin; Samu, Hernandez, Trigueros, Castillejo; Soldado, Lopez
Deportivo La Coruna starting lineup (4-4-2 formation): Muniz; Laure, Arribas, Sidnei, Navarro; Fede, Mosquera, Dominguez, Fajr; Alberto, Lucas
