They were fighting together with Celta de Vigo for the second place to earn direct promotion, and eventually repeated the play-off appearance from the previous season.
An historical La Liga team, Valladolid made solid regular season (82 points), fighting with Celta for the remaining place for direct promotion.
However, after a draw in the penultimate match against AD Alcorcón (which was also fighting for a play-off spot) they didn't depend by himself for direct promotion: Celta played last round against Córdoba CF, both only needed a draw, and drew 0–0 as their opponents were also favoured by that outcome; foreseeing this situation, Valladolid didn't try to opt for the second place and lost the last match 1–3 at home against CD Guadalajara.
Background at 2011–12 Segunda División: AD Alcorcón qualified to the playoffs in the last matchday (3 June 2012), like Hércules CF and Córdoba, after winning 1–0 away against CD Numancia.
They are well remembered for its achievement in 2009–10 season, when still in Segunda División B, it made worldwide headlines after defeated neighbours giants Real Madrid in Copa del Rey.
Background at 2011–12 Segunda División: Córdoba qualified to this stage in the last matchday (3 June 2012), as Hércules and Alcorcón, after a 0–0 away draw against Celta de Vigo which was heavily criticised by Real Valladolid.
[3] At time, an historical second division outfit, the Andalusia side's last top level participation was 40 years ago – in which it managed to defeat FC Barcelona and draw against Real Madrid at El Arcángel – and it finished fifth in the main category in 1964–65.
Córdoba had a regular 2011–12 season, being in the play-off area for some matches, and fighting last mid with neighbouring Almería for the final sixth-place, eventually succeeding.
Assistant referees: Íñigo Retegui Lamolla (La Rioja) Enrique Rodríguez Sánchez (Castile-La Mancha) Fourth official: Juan Manuel López Amaya (Andalucía)