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...]
Upsetting the Applecart: Getafe’s Rise from the Ashes
Think of Madrid based football clubs and you are instantly drawn to two of Spain’s heavyweight sides in Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid, and rightly so. However, the pair were not the only Madrid Metropolitan side to finish inside the top eight last season as Getafe gate-crashed into eighth for only their second ever highest La Liga finish. But, the deep blues are showing no signs of stopping there and look set to upset the markets once again when it comes to betting on soccer after a fine start to the new campaign. Who is Getafe? Based just 13km from the city of Madrid, Getafe has a chequered history which saw them first come into existence in 1924 but as a low-level side playing at the Campo del Regimiento de Artillería which remarkably had no goal posts. The club improved steadily over the years but never progressed further than the Tercera División (Spain’s third tier) until 1976 when the club earned its first-ever promotion to the Segunda division. After failing … [Read More...]
Big Match Preview: Sevilla Look to Sink Real Once More
Well, they don’t come much bigger than this. On Wednesday 26th September these sides face what is arguably their sternest test of the new season domestically (although due to Sevilla’s patchy form perhaps not). The two sides have a strong history of competitive action and come the end of the season, both will expect to be in the upper echelons of Spain’s top flight, as well they both should be too. As Real prepare to enter the cauldron of Sevilla’s Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán, what are the chances of each side? And can Sevilla upset the Los Blancos giants in front of their adoring Sevillistas once again? Head to Head Undoubtedly, coming into the game Real Madrid will have the football betting odds heavily in their favour but Sevilla will fancy their chances especially if Real’s last visit to Sevilla is anything to go by. At the end of last season, Barcelona had wrapped up the La Liga title and Zinedine Zidane’s Real Madrid side made it quite clear they had one eye on the … [Read More...]