La Liga Power Rankings after a pivotal ‘El Clasico’ on Matchday 30
![Real Madrid, Zinedine Zidane (Photo by GABRIEL BOUYS/AFP via Getty Images) Real Madrid, Zinedine Zidane (Photo by GABRIEL BOUYS/AFP via Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/b7c3b1a9eedffa8000625c87bd42da2ec3e6d62864e1513f07e06d6e73086998.jpg)
8. Levante
Levante have serious consistency issues, as evidenced by their 2-0 loss to Huesca earlier this month. But they are one of the most exciting teams in La Liga due to their attacking talent. Former Real Madrid man Jorge de Frutos has 11 goal contributions in total, while both Jose Luis Morales and Roger Marti have found the back of the net 10 times or more this league campaign. Their upcoming match against Villarreal will show us if the Frogs are truly Europa League contenders.
7. Villarreal
Villarreal are among the favorites to win the Europa League this year under Unai Emery, but they may not even make the competition next season. The Yellow Submarine have Gerard Moreno banging home the goals, but look no further than their shock loss to Osasuna. There seems to be something missing with this squad. Dani Parejo and Moreno are two of the league’s best, but many of the starters are underperforming or just aren’t at the standard necessary.
6. Real Sociedad
Real Sociedad’s defense could be their undoing as well. They are so far behind Sevilla that they have no realistic chance of making it to the Champions League, but Mikel Oyarzabal and Co. are locks for the Europa League, so long as they don’t blow it. La Real have been dreadful lately, though. They dropped points to Valencia after dropping points to Athletic Club and getting blown out of the water by Barcelona, 6-1. And before the loss to Barcelona, La Real were shut out in a loss to Granada. The upcoming fixtures against Sevilla and Celta are vital.
5. Real Betis
Real Betis have the necessary grit to secure fifth in La Liga. They showed that they can hang with anyone when they drew Atletico Madrid 1-1, and it will be interesting to see if they can steal another point away from Real Madrid later this month. Los Verdiblancos have been transformed by Manuel Pellegrini, with Nabil Fekir and Sergio Canales playing starring roles as two of La Liga’s top playmakers.