Venue: Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid Date: 13/02/2016 Kick-off: 03:00 PM GMT / 10:00 AM EST Goalkeeper While Luka Modric earned all the plaudits for Real Madrid’s hard fought 2-1 victory over Granada last weekend, it would be unfair not to acknowledge the role of goalkeeper Keylor Navas in the triumph. The Costa Rican made numerous key saves throughout the course of the match and he will surely have to play a big role once again if Madrid are to claim a victory against Athletic this weekend. Defence Real Madrid have been rocked by the news that Marcelo has dislocated his shoulder and the … [Read more...]
Archives for February 2016
Real Madrid vs Athletic Club: Preview, Predicted Lineups and Prediction
Venue: Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid Date: 13/02/2016 Kick-off: 03:00 PM GMT / 10:00 AM EST Match Real Madrid News Real Madrid continued their pressure at the top of the table on Barcelona with a 2-1 victory over Granada last weekend but it has to be said that Los Blancos’ performance on the night was anything but convincing. Nonetheless, results is what matters the most for Real Madrid at the moment and manager Zinedine Zidane will want his side to continue their good run of form when they play hosts to Athletic Club at the Santiago Bernabeu this weekend, in what should be a challenging … [Read more...]
Stubborn or Clueless? A Valencia analysis
When Peter Lim took over Valencia one of the first things he did was to repaint the Mestalla to the glorious Black and orange monster it is today. Such a simple but intelligent way to start work at Valencia. It shows an identity being projected every time Valencia are on tv, and looks so impressive. … [Read more...]
Could the threat of relegation actually be good for Valencia?
14th in the La Liga table, only 4 points and the same number of places from the relegation zone, not having won a Liga game for three months, their biggest defeat in any competition for twenty odd years less than a week ago; the figures make sobering reading for any Valencia fan. But the threat, and very real possibility, of relegation to the Segunda may be just what the team needs to drag itself out of this footballing mire in which it finds itself. Anyone who saw the first leg of the Copa del Rey tie against Barcelona could be forgiven for thinking it was a completely different team to the … [Read more...]
Barcelona Probable Lineup vs Valencia: Munir and Bartra to start
Venue: Estadio de Mestalla, Valencia Date: 10/02/2016 Kick-off: 08:00 PM GMT / 03:00 PM EST Match Goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen did not have much to do in the first leg against Valencia and with Barcelona currently holding a whopping seven goal advantage; the German goalkeeper can head into the return leg without any pressure whatsoever. Nonetheless, ter Stegen is keen on impressing in each game as he looks to become the number one choice in La Liga as well and the 23-year old will undoubtedly want to keep a clean sheet on the night. Defence At the back, regulars Jordi Alba, Gerard … [Read more...]
Valencia vs Barcelona: Preview, Predicted Lineups and Prediction
Venue: Estadio de Mestalla, Valencia Date: 10/02/2016 Kick-off: 08:00 PM GMT / 03:00 PM EST Match Valencia News The immense pressure on the shoulders of Gary Neville compounded even further as Valencia went on to suffer a disappointing 1-0 defeat at the hands of Real Betis in the La Liga last weekend, following their 7-0 humiliation against Barcelona in the Copa del Rey. Now Valencia prepare for the second leg of the Copa del Rey against Barcelona at the Mestalla and although Los Che are virtually already eliminated, it will be of paramount importance for Neville’s men to put in a good show … [Read more...]
Three managers that could replace Gary Neville at Valencia
When Gary Neville was first appointed the manager of Valencia, our initial reaction contained praise for Valencia as they had appointed a magnificent football enthusiast, with tremendous tactical knowledge. Neville's appointment was somewhat a little surprise to many of us because we all knew that due to his cunning Monday Night Football analysis on Sky Sports, he had the potential to become a great manager, despite never having any sort of experience in the role before, excluding his coaching role with the English national team. … [Read more...]
Real Madrid Probable Lineup vs Granada: Ronaldo and James looking to continue good form
Venue: Estadio Nuevo Los Cármenes, Granada Date: 07/02/2016 Kick-off: 07:30 AM GMT / 2:00 PM EST Goalkeeper Keylor Navas had very little to do during Madrid’s 6-0 victory over Espanyol last weekend and with Granada having scored only 24 goals so far this season, the Costa Rican should not be too worried heading into Sunday’s encounter. That said though, Navas cannot afford to be complacent and it will be of paramount importance for the 29-year old to keep full concentration throughout the course of the match in order to avoid a potential upset. Defence The Real Madrid backline seems to have … [Read more...]
Granada vs Real Madrid: Preview, Predicted Lineups and Prediction
Venue: Estadio Nuevo Los Cármenes, Granada Date: 07/02/2016 Kick-off: 07:30 AM GMT / 2:00 PM EST Match Granada News Granada were considered to be fortunate to avoid the drop from La Liga last season but this time around, they might not be so lucky – especially if they do not bring about an upturn in their fortunes soon. Currently in 19th place in the table, José Ramón Sandoval’s men have lost five of their last six La Liga matches and things are already starting to look ominous for the Nazaríes. It is clear that Granada now need to somehow get back to winning ways soon but that will be … [Read more...]
Barcelona Probable Lineup vs Levante: Rakitic back into the squad
Venue: Estadio Ciudad de Valencia, Valencia Date: 07/02/2016 Kick-off: 11:00 AM GMT / 06:00 AM EST Goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen will once again be making way for Claudio Bravo in the starting lineup this weekend. Bravo will have been aware of ter Stegen’s fine performances during cup matches and the Chilean international will surely have to continue his good run of form as well, in order to stave off the competition from the German youngster. Defence Manager Luis Enrique decided to hand the likes of Aleix Vidal and Jeremy Mathieu a start during the midweek drubbing of Valencia but it is … [Read more...]