Pre-season is over and if there is one thing we have learned in football, it is that talk is cheap, but players cost a fortune. As Atletico Madrid found out with a summer spending spree of over £110 million. However, it looks like money well spent with the first trophy of the season in the back pocket after Diego Simeone masterminded a European Super Cup triumph over bitter neighbours Real Madrid. Heading into the new La Liga season, there could an unexpected opportunity for Atletico Madrid to repeat their feat of 2013/14 by winning the league title. Real Madrid has already proven beatable and face their first season for nine-years without star man Cristiano Ronaldo and enter the new season with a new head coach in former Spain boss Julen Lopetegui. Although defending league champions Barcelona looked relatively settled, by comparison, another year on Messi can only go to aid Atletico’s title cause. However, as we mentioned at the top of this article, talk is cheap, … [Read More...]
Bookies expect Barcelona to double-up with another La Liga title win
The summer carnival of football is over with France beating Croatia at the World Cup final in Moscow. It was a rather disappointing effort from the betting favourites though. Germany bowed out at the group stage, Brazil were eliminated in the quarterfinals and Spain topped Group B ahead of Portugal but lost to hosts Russia in the round of 16. Fans will be delighted to see the return of club football and the new La Liga season is fast approaching, the big kick-off scheduled for Friday 17th August. Major divisions are getting underway across Europe with the English top-tier out the starting blocks a week earlier. Source: FC Barcelona via Twitter Former Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola pushed his Manchester City side to the title last term and they lead the way in the betting for two-in-a-row with the Premier League odds 2019 marking The Sky Blues as … [Read More...]
Real Madrid on Red Alert after Willian Passport Fail
It is common knowledge that Real Madrid have money in the bank after the sale of Cristiano Ronaldo to Juventus a couple of weeks ago and it is common knowledge that Los Blancos have submitted a £100 million bid for Chelsea duo Thibaut Courtois and Willian. However, it has emerged that talks between Real and Chelsea shot-stopper Courtois have come to a standstill even though the Real Hierarchy insist they still want Courtois at the club. That has not stopped the interest in Willian and the rumour mill has gone into overdrive after the Times reported that Willian failed to turn up for pre-season training after being given an extended break after the 29-year-olds exploits for Brazil at the World Cup. The Times report that Willian has claimed he s having passport issued but whether this is true or not, only time will tell. It is possible Willian is attempting to engineer a move away from his club, after all, it would not be the first time a player has tried to push through a … [Read More...]
Who’s Hot and Who’s Not in the La Liga Betting
As we approach August, the excitement begins to build once again as another season of La Liga action is set to kick off in a matter of weeks. There has been plenty of entertainment off the field this summer, so how has this affected the betting markets, and are there any little gems to be looking out for? Outright Winner Picking the La Liga title winner leaves you with only three realistic options and the bookmakers reflect this. Adding one of Real Madrid, Barcelona or Atletico Madrid to your bet slip makes complete sense, however, with numerous betting options available, having the types of bet slips explained could put you in an advantageous position in La Liga this season. Unsurprisingly, Real Madrid’s sale of Cristiano Ronaldo has made Barcelona odds-on favourites to win the league at a best price 4/5 with Real at 6/4. However, Atletico is worth a look at 14/1 with some significant signings made which have only strengthened Diego Simeone’s … [Read More...]
What Next for Real Madrid as Key Figures Depart
First Zinedine Zidane went, now Cristiano Ronaldo has gone, on the face of it, this looks like worrying times for the 33-times La Liga champions Real Madrid. But are we right to be concerned, or are the Real hierarchy pulling off masterstroke for future footballing dominance? Club president made it quite clear that finishing 17-points behind rivals Barcelona is utterly unacceptable and that even winning three Champions League’s in a row is not good enough. That resulted in Zinedine Zidane departing the hot-seat after two and a half years at the club to be replaced by sacked Spain coach Julen Lopetegui. Cristiano Ronaldo quickly followed Zidane out the door after reported rumours that the Portuguese Adonis had been unhappy for some time in Madrid and chosen Juventus as his destination in a deal worth £99 million. So, What Now? Real Madrid is in something of a quandary, how do you replace your clubs all-time top goal scorer? Gareth Bale is 29 and has never quite hit … [Read More...]
Barcelona may struggle to defend Liga title next season
Barcelona won the 2017/18 Liga title with 93 points from 38 games, 17 more than third-placed Real Madrid who were defending champions. Barca, however, have lost Andres Iniesta this summer and have a bloated squad full of underperforming players who need moving on. Atletico Madrid finished in the top-two of La Liga for the first time in four years, although they were still 14 points adrift. They’ll have Diego Simeone in charge and Antoine Griezmann leading the attack next season, so they should put pressure on the big two for much of the campaign. Real have a squad that isn’t likely to change much next season and will be managed by a head coach who had a near-flawless record with the Spain national team, so things bode well for their future. A fresh approach should see Los Blancos put in a worthy title challenge. Online betting sites have Real Madrid at 5/4 to win the crown this season. Barcelona have a lot of deadwood Barca have lost Iniesta and don’t have an obvious … [Read More...]
La Liga Misery in Russia
Who would have thought that prior to the quarter-finals of the World Cup, La Liga’s elite players would pretty much all be heading home? It all started on Saturday when both Argentina and Portugal were eliminated in their respective games which meant that once again, Barcelona’s Lionel Messi failed to shine on the World’s biggest stage and Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo looks likely to have to make do with just his European Championship to fall back on (its still not bad though). Just as the shock of the elimination of La Liga’s two shining stars was sinking in, Sunday dawned which meant Spain were in action. Russia were the opponents and despite making it through to the group stages, many deemed the host nation arguably the worst team left in the tournament. However, nobody bothered to read Russia head coach Stanislav Cherchesov the script of laying down for the 2010 World Champions as the Russian’s caused the shock of the tournament winning the contest on … [Read More...]
Promoted Three out to Prove Lightning Does Strike Twice
Last season was quite unique for La Liga as all three promoted teams from the prior season stayed up with relative ease. Girona’s likeness to new boys Huesca cannot be ignored, after finishing runners-up to Levante in the Segunda season during the 2016/17 season, Girona made their first steps into the top flight and blew the competition away ending the campaign in 10th. Huesca are now in the same situation after earning promotion to the top-flight for the first time ever. Spanish yo-yo club Levante had a solid if unspectacular season finishing 15th after earning promotion whilst Getafe pushed the European places close ending the season in eighth. Now it is up to Huesca, Rayo Vallecano, and Real Valladolid to prove that lightning does strike twice and that the gap between the Segunda and La Liga division is not so great. But what of their chances of staying up? Huesca If people were asking who Girona was last season, this campaign they will have to get to grips with … [Read More...]