On Wednesday evening Barcelona welcome Italian heavyweights Inter Milan to the Camp Nou in a game that is perhaps worthier of being the final rather than a group game. However, that scenario may still come true as both Barcelona and Inter Milan find themselves locked together on six points as the top two in a difficult group B. We will learn much about both these sides during this encounter with both teams champions league final odds set to take a dramatic turn for better or for worse depending on the outcome. So, who will win? And who has the edge coming into this titanic Champions League tussle? Recent Form One thing Barcelona will possess coming into this game is confidence after a sublime 4-2 win over title rivals Sevilla which put the Catalan’s top of La Liga. However, it ended a domestic run of four games without a win which only goes to prove that the Spanish giants are perhaps not quite the force they once were. Prior to this game, Inter Milan faced the … [Read More...]
Lopetegui replacement on Real’s radar?
Real Madrid are already sounding out potential replacements for Julen Lopetegui after the new manager made a disastrous start to life at the Bernebeu. Los Blancos are winless in their last four games and the players are said to be mutinous over his questionable tactics. A 1-0 defeat away at Alaves last time out embarrassed the European champions, and Lopetegui is on very thin ice indeed. Florentino Perez has already drawn up a shortlist of candidates to replace the former Spain boss, including Antonio Conte, Michael Laudrup and Laurent Blanc. Lopetegui’s one saving grace is that Barcelona have also made a surprisingly sluggish start to the new campaign. Lionel Messi and co have already drawn three and lost one out of their eight games, meaning the title race is still very much alive and kicking. In fact, Real Madrid find themselves just two points behind leaders Sevilla and a mere point behind Barca and Atletico Madrid. If results go their way this weekend, they could find … [Read More...]
From Anfield to the Atotxa: A Look at John Aldridge’s Time at Real Sociedad
Liam Brady, Ian Harte, and Kevin Doyle share a bond of nationality and trade: they are all Irish and they were all professional footballers who played ‘abroad’, which is to say in continental Europe or North America; though in my estimation, and contrary to popular consensus, the Premier League is abroad too, a foreign league. Then there is the case of John Aldridge. Yes, he shares the characteristics of the players above, but he went one better - he was the first foreign player to turn out for Basque side Real Sociedad in some decades. The significance of this moment far outstrips that of Luis Figo swapping Barcelona’s colours for the white of Real Madrid or Sol Campbell high-footing it to Arsenal from Tottenham. The only other transfer that feels as significant is that of Catholic Mo Johnston’s move to Rangers, where goals helped heal sectarian divisions. Such was the bile upon his arrival from Nantes, the kit man refused to put out Mo’s jersey, and the striker had to do it … [Read More...]
The Best Matches in La Liga so far this Season
We may only be seven games into the new season, but already we have witnessed some truly epic encounters in the quest for Spanish domestic dominance. From ten goal thrillers to almighty upsets, we have had the lot and although many people may think a fixture may be an easy prediction, the beautiful game is showing us that anything can happen with places such as bettingtop10 helping those looking for that extra bit of information to guide them in predicting the unpredictable. With this in mind, we have charted some of the best matches that have taken place this season and taken into account goals, unpredictability and intensity of the game, so when it comes to those who love to bet on football, they always know to expect the unexpected. Barcelona 8 Huesca 2 So, you’ve just been promoted to Spain’s top flight for the first time in your history, you’ve won your first league game and you’ve drawn your second and your feeling pretty pleased with yourself. Next up you travel … [Read More...]
Weekend Round Up: Anyone’s for the Taking
If this weekend of La Liga action has taught us anything, it is that anyone can beat anyone, and the title race may be in its infancy, but already it is anyone's for the taking. After all, who would have predicted that in both Barcelona’s and Real Madrid’s last two league games (including this weekends) both sides would only take one point from a possible six? Or that newly promoted Valladolid would provide an early season hammer blow to Villarreal? Well, that is exactly what has happened as we take a look back at the action of week seven so far. Big Boys Struggling The table does not lie, and both Barcelona and Real Madrid may sit on the summit with 14 points but both sides will be hugely disappointed not to have more. However, Real Madrid may be the happier of the two but only because they drew with Atletico 0-0 in an intense Madrid derby at the Wanda. There is little shame in that result for either side but after Real’s 3-0 mid-week at the hands of Sevilla, new … [Read More...]
The Hugo Blanco Interview – How La Liga is Changing World Football
Ponerse el overol is a common expression in the footballing lexicon of the Spanish language. To illustrate its meaning, the Bleacher Report pointed to Carles Puyol, a man who went above and beyond for his team, a player that felt and bled the blaugrana colours. In essence, it refers to one who does more than is expected. Above that singular player lies the club, and above the club stands the league. In this instance, LaLiga is the organization whose principal responsibility is to give order and organize the league and cup matches. But it’s also extending its limbs into an ever expanding overall, uncurling its toes as it chases down the Premier League and plays its part in promoting football in every corner of the globe. I sat down with Hugo Blanco at the LaLiga headquarters in the north of Madrid, to determine to what extent Spain’s football governing body is changing the landscape of the global game. Hugo is LaLiga’s Sports Project Manager, and he has worked extensively in … [Read More...]
Huesca Learning Quickly That La Liga is a Harsh Place
Fifty-eight years after SD Huesca’s official birth, the football club from the Gates of the Pyrenees in the region of Aragon and to the Northeast of Zaragoza earned its place at the top of Spain’s football pyramid after ending 2nd in last seasons Segunda campaign. After promotion was confirmed, little Huesca was immediately instilled as favourites for the drop by those who enjoy gambling on sports with plenty of reason. After all, this is a club with no pedigree in La Liga and whose highest ever finish prior to the 2017/18 season was a sixth place in the Segunda. Also, with its El Alcoraz stadium holding just 7638 spectators (only slightly bigger than Eibar’s ground), the prediction was games against Huesca would have the feeling of a training ground match as opposed to top-flight encounter. Perhaps a little harsh, and Barcelona lookalikes Huesca started the season brightly with an impressive 1-2 away win at the equally tiny aforementioned Eibar. However, with the … [Read More...]
Who Will Come Out on Top When Valencia Travel to Villarreal?
It is the ultimate battle of the sides beginning with V, as two teams with rich La Liga heritage collide on Sunday in what is, without doubt, the standout fixture in Spain’s top flight this weekend. As the pair have been involved in European exploits mid-week, the playing field has been somewhat levelled with the La Liga soccer betting for this game set to paint a picture of an even contest, but one that you will not want to miss. So, who is going to win? Recent form Villarreal Villarreal’s Estadio de la Cerámica is not one of the larger stadia in Spain, but it does lack for atmosphere. However, the Yellow Submarine has had a questionable start to the new season having lost both their La Liga home games to opposition they would have expected more from. A 2-2 Europa League draw against Scottish Premiership side Rangers was hardly convincing either, even if Javier Calleja did present a much-changed side. One win, one draw, and two defeats have left the 2006 … [Read More...]