Celta and Empoli on the up

Canobbio shines
Celta reached the Primera División thanks to a 3-1 win at Xerez CD, which came courtesy of two goals from Uruguayan midfield player Fabian Canobbio and another from striker Jesús Perera. The 2003/04 UEFA Champions League entrants are seven points ahead of fourth-placed RC Recreativo de Huelva with two games to play.

Still battling
Deportivo Alavés and Cádiz CF are the favourites to join Celta in Spain's top tier next season, although Recreativo and SD Eibar also have a chance of claiming a place in the top flight. Dropping down are Levante UD, CD Numancia and Albacete Balompié.

Promotion assured
Meanwhile, Empoli needed a 1-1 home draw with AC Arezzo to end their year-long exile from Serie A. Two teams are automatically promoted from Italy's Serie B and Empoli lead on 74 points, with Genoa 1893 on 73, and Torino Calcio and AC Perugia on 71 points. Although Torino and Perugia could still end level with Empoli, the Tuscan club have a better head-to-head record than their rivals and so are assured of promotion with one game remaining.

Fans left downbeat
Genoa, looking to get back to Serie A after a ten-year absence, were left frustrated after a 2-2 draw at Piacenza FC meant they will have to wait until the final day of the season to see if they can gain promotion. Over 15,000 Genoa fans travelled to Piacenza and were ready to party after substitute Marco Rossi put them 2-1 up in the 79th minute but a spectacular free-kick from Giorgio Di Vicino put paid to celebration plans. Genoa are at home to already relegated AC Venezia on the final day of the season.