The National League reaches its last day with the second relegation without being defined between four teams that face the final date with maximum pressure. Achuapa is already confirmed as the first team to go down to the First Division, but second place is still in dispute between Guastatoya, Malacateco, Mictlán and Marquense, all with the possibility of falling, according to the combination of results on Sunday.
Matchday 22 will be played this Sunday, April 26 at 3 p.m., with all matches simultaneously, which guarantees that no team will have an informational advantage over the others when playing their respective matches. This decision adds even more excitement to a last date that could bring surprises in the fight to remain in the highest category of Guatemalan soccer.
The four teams involved arrive with little difference between themselves in the accumulated table but with the same objective: add the necessary points to avoid relegation. Marquense is the one who has the most favorable position with 53 points, while Guastatoya, Malacateco and Mictlán arrive equal with 50 units each, with the Conejos being the ones who occupy the last relegation place due to the worst goal difference with -13 compared to -12 for Malacateco and -10 for Guastatoya.
Marquense — 53 points
Omar Arellano’s Leones missed a decisive opportunity by losing 3-1 to Municipal at home the previous day. Despite this, the outlook still favors them since with 53 points in the accumulated table they need at least a draw to ensure their permanence. The challenge will be complicated since they will have to look for that result when they visit Guastatoya at the David Cordón Hichos Stadium, where as a visitor they have had an irregular performance with just two victories in ten games.
- His match: Guastatoya vs. Marquense — Sunday, April 26, 3:00 PM.
Guastatoya — 50 points
The Pecho Amarillo arrive equal with Malacateco and Mictlán in the accumulated table with 50 points, but with the best goal difference of the three. Pablo Centrone’s team receives Marquense at home, which represents an important advantage to seek the victory that would guarantee them permanence without depending on other results. If they tie, they will need Malacateco and Mictlán not to win in their respective matches to save themselves.
- His match: Guastatoya vs. Marquense — Sunday, April 26, 3:00 PM.
Malacateco — 50 points
The Toros are experiencing an unexpected situation for a team that has been a protagonist in the final phases of recent tournaments and that seeks to avoid cutting 26 years of stay in the National League. With 50 points and a goal difference of -12, they need to win at home against Comunicaciones to ensure their continuity. A draw could be enough as long as Guastatoya and Mictlán do not win their respective matches. If they lose, they will depend on a defeat by Mictlán and the goal difference to save themselves in the most important ninety minutes of their season.
- Their match: Malacateco vs. Communications — Sunday, April 26, 3:00 PM.
Mictlán — 50 points
The Rabbits arrive at the last day in the most compromised situation of the four teams involved. Mictlán occupies the last relegation place with 50 points and the same amount as Guastatoya and Malacateco, but with the worst goal difference of the three at -13. The Rabbits need to win their visit to Aurora, but that result does not guarantee them salvation since they will also have to hope that Malacateco or Guastatoya do not win in their respective games. In case of victory and defeat of Marquense they would reach 53 points, although if Malacateco also wins permanence it could be decided by goal difference.
- Your match: Aurora vs. Mictlán — Sunday, April 26, 3:00 PM.