The Blue and Whites appear to be fervent in their determination to avoid the hassle of European football next season, losing 0-2 to Espanyol on Saturday.
Álvaro González and Sergio García did the damage on this occasion, a goal in each half. Málaga are still fairly comfortable in seventh place in La Liga but could well be nine points adrift of seventh spot by the end of the weekend.
Real Madrid overcame Deportivo 2-0 with strikes from Isco and Benzema to remain in prime position in La Liga.
Sevilla were fairly comfortable 3-0 winners over Córdoba with goals from Krychowiak, Bacca and Iborra, although both teams ended up with only ten players on the pitch.
At this stage it looks like the top three are pretty much set – Real, Barcelona and Atlético – with a battle for the all-important fourth place between Valencia, Sevilla and Villarreal. Unless of course there are any dramatic combinations of good and bad runs for any of the teams.