Three points separate 6th from 11th in LaLiga

Six places in LaLiga, three points. That is the whole gap between Alavés and Getafe, and it is why the middle of the table is worth a second look.

Alavés are the better of the two by some distance. 7 games have brought 3 wins, 2 draws and 2 defeats, worth 11 points from a goal difference of 5 — 11 scored, 6 conceded. Their last five read W, W, L, L, D, and they arrive on a run of 1D.

Now the other end of the same block. Getafe have 8 points from 2 wins, 2 draws and 3 losses. The problem is obvious: 4 goals in 7 matches, against 7 conceded, for a goal difference of -3. Form over five: L, D, D, L, W. They stop the slide with 1W.

And that is the point. 3 points cover positions 6 through 11. Win once and you climb four or five places. Lose once and you drop the same distance. Neither side has anything resembling breathing room.

The top of the table is a different country. Barça lead on 21 points at position 1 with a goal difference of +24. Atleti are second on 16, Real Betis third on 16, Real Madrid fourth on 15. Sevilla FC hold 5th on 13. Then comes the squeeze.

Scoring is not the issue for Alavés — 11 goals is a healthy return. Keeping them out has been. 6 conceded is not a disaster either, but it eats the margin.

Getafe cannot say the same. Four goals. Four, in 7 matches. Whatever the table says about their defence, the attack is why they sit 11th rather than higher.

One result swings this whole band. Ask yourself which of the two you would rather be.