Well, nobody expected this! As soon as Granada earned promotion from the Segunda Division last season after finishing as runners-up, no one in Spain’s top flight even battered an eye-lid. After all, it was hardly the first time Granada would be contesting a season in La Liga and considering the last time the Nazaríes finished inside the top flights top ten was in 1974, Granada were viewed by many as the whipping boys of the division once again. However, it seems manager Diego Martínez has been feeding his unfancied chargers a double dose of Weetabix as the find selves … [Read more...]
Sunday’s game of the day preview: Sevilla v Sociedad
On Saturday we witness without doubt the game of the weekend. In fact, the game of the month as the Madrid derby takes place. However, in any other week, Sunday’s contest between Sevilla and Real Sociedad would catch the eye as at the time of writing it is Sociedad who surprisingly occupy second spot in La Liga. With Sevilla occupying eighth heading into this weekend, the importance for both cannot be underestimated as both will look to build on their early season and maintain a push for a top four spot. But the question remains – who will win come Sunday night? Head to … [Read more...]
Barca Stunned & Bilbao Top: What Happened in La Liga
Two eye-catching games took place on Friday 30th August as early table-toppers Seville host Celta Vigo whilst Athletic Bilbao with their own designs on top spot hosted perennial mid-table outfit Real Sociedad. Here’s what happened… Sevilla 1 Celta Vigo 1 Sevilla head coach Julen Lopetegui will view this as a missed opportunity as a former Barcelona man came back to haunt the former Real Madrid manager with a late equalizer to see his side knocked off top spot after three games. The first half gave little to write home about with the home side as expected edging the contest. … [Read more...]
The 3 Games to Watch This Weekend
Now La Liga is back, the games come thick and fast and after a thrilling two games each so far, the table had an odd look to it after surprises galore. So, as game week three prepares to get underway, we have picked three matches you will not want to miss. Getafe v Alaves Perhaps not quite the show stopper tie you would have expected, but Getafe were last season’s surprise package ending the campaign in fifth. So far, the relatively young club (founded in 1983) have struggled in their two games registering a draw and a defeat and all eyes will be on whether José Bordalás side can … [Read more...]
Who do you think you are? SD Eibar
SD Eibar may have the smallest ground in La Liga (just over 7000 capacity), but that has done little to hold the club back. After earning promotion to Spain’s top flight at the end of the 2013/14 season, many predicted (us included) that Eibar’s stint in La Liga would be a brief one. However, five years later, and the minnows from the Basque country are preparing for yet another top-flight campaign and a firm member of the La Liga establishment. History The club was founded in November 1940 from a merger of Deportivo Gallo and Unión Deportiva Eibarresa but it took until the … [Read more...]
Bale holds the Key to Transfer Merry-go-round
La Liga clubs have been splashing the cash in the summer transfer window, but the rumour is despite having already bought in Eden Hazard, Luka Jovic, Eder Militao, Ferland Mendy and Rodrygo (to name but a few) it seems Real Madrid are not done yet. However, only if they can get rid of a couple of thorns in their side one of them being the world’s best-paid golfer: Gareth Bale. It has been clear for quite some time now the Welsh wizard has fallen out of favour with both the fans and manager at the Bernabeu but with whopping wages, it seems everything is at a stalemate. If Real are to … [Read more...]
A Closer Look – RCD Mallorca
Barcelona, Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid. Three of Spain’s biggest clubs and three sides that need no introduction. However, there are seventeen other sides who will compete in La Liga next season who are perhaps less well known to European football fans. So, with that in mind, we thought it a good time to dig a little deeper into La Liga’s latest edition RCD Mallorca. The History Founded in 1916, the club based in the city of Palma on the island of Mallorca have had plenty of ups in their history but also some serious downs. Initially they were known as Alfonso XIII Football … [Read more...]
The Latest La Liga Transfer News
The summer is a never-ending rumour mill which we must admit we simply cannot get enough of. The speculation as to who is going where is sometimes more intriguing than when the action actually gets underway and with so many stories doing the rounds, we thought it time for a little look at some of the big deals that are rumoured to be occurring this summer. Antoine Griezmann At the end of the season, Frenchman Antoine Griezmann made it quite clear to all that he was leaving Atletico Madrid. Many expected an announcement to be made within days of his next destination, but nothing … [Read more...]
Promoted Team Profile: Osasuna
Although the Segunda division still rumbles on for another two matchdays, as Osasuna boast a six-point lead at the top of the able and a ten-point advantage over third-place Albacete, it is safe to say the minnows from Pamplona will be contesting La Liga next season. But are they? And what will they bring to the division? History The club with the nickname Gorritxoak are no strangers to Spain’s top-flight. In fact, from 2000 to 2014 the side contested every La Liga season and even finished fourth at the end of the 2005/06 campaign. However, relegation followed at the end of the … [Read more...]
Copa Del Rey – The route to the final
Barcelona’s bid for domestic dominance could be completed on Saturday but first, they will have to overcome a plucky Valencia side seeking their first piece of silverware since winning this very competition in 2008. So, how did both sides The route to the final Barcelona 5 cultural y deportiva leonesa 1 - (all results given as aggregate totals) The Spanish giants were paired with Segunda B division side cultural y deportiva leonesa for their opening exploits in the competition. Ernesto Valverde’s side breezed through two-legged affair 5-1 on aggregate to get their defence … [Read more...]