Currently sat mid table in La Liga, Levante are a side who have been on the up this millennium having spent more time in Spain’s top flight since the year 2000 than they have out of it. But it wasn’t always that way for the side who have spent their entire history largely in the shadow of their city rivals Valencia. In the beginning Levante formed in 1909, the same time as neighbouring club Gimnástico. During the Spanish civil war, Levante’s ground was destroyed although the club’s players largely remained together. By contrast, Gimastico had a ground but had lost most … [Read more...]
Madrid Derby: The Stats You Need to Know
February gets off to a bang in La Liga with the Madrid derby set to take centre stage as Atletico Madrid head to the Bernabeu on Saturday afternoon and the stakes are high. Real sit top of the table but know with a three-point gap to Barcelona, any slip up and the Catalans will pounce whilst for Atletico, defeat is not an option otherwise there the threat of losing more ground in the top four race will prove damaging. So, if you are thinking of making a bet on this classic encounter, we have some useful information that might help sway your decision. Head to head Diego Simone’s … [Read more...]
The 3 La Liga games you MUST NOT miss this weekend
Christmas is over and now we all look to fresh beginnings with a new year upon us. Amongst the twenty La Liga clubs, some will look back at 2019 with a smile whilst some will be glad to see the back of it. However, they don’t have long to reflect as they are straight back into action on the weekend with three games in particular set to steal the show. Espanyol v Barcelona It’s top versus bottom in a crucial game for both. However, throw in the fact that this is a derby and the stakes are ramped up further. Barca occupy top spot but only by two-points from their great rivals Real … [Read more...]
Is Espanyol’s 26-Year La Liga Spell About to End?
To the casual follower of Spanish football, it may be easy to forget that there is another team occupying the city of Barcelona. Throughout its 119-year history, Espanyol have played second fiddle to the giants of the Camp Nou in Barcelona with the club never able to shake the underdog tag. However, there have been successes for the side affectionately known as the Budgerigars with four Copa Del Rey victories and twice UEFA Cup runners up. Of course, that success is dwarfed by Barcelona’s, but Espanyol have for a long time been a valuable member of Spain’s top-flight – However, if … [Read more...]
Leganes looking doomed
La Liga is only four game-days away from its annual break up for Christmas and as expected, the table is starting to take on a familiar look. However, for one side in particular, it makes for grim reading as the forgotten club from the outskirts of Madrid (Leganes) find themselves propping up the table and seemingly destined for relegation. Just six points have been collected by Javier Aguirre’s men at the time of writing with that sole win coming at home against fellow relegation battles RCD Mallorca. It is something of a disappointment after the funkily nick-named … [Read more...]
The 3 games to watch out for this weekend
La Liga returns for matchday fifteen this weekend with a couple of blockbuster ties occurring as we run you through the three games you will not want to miss. Atletico Madrid v Barcelona – Sunday 1st December 20:00 Undoubtedly the stand out clash of the weekend sees Barcelona travel to the capital to take on Atletico Madrid. The table is taking on a familiar look with Barcelona sitting pretty at the top with Diego Simeone’s men just three points and three places back in fourth. Come Sunday night, the pair could be locked on the same points but Barca’s superior goal difference … [Read more...]
Real Sociedad the invisible club
You can’t help but feel a little sorry for Real Sociedad. In any other season, we would be beside ourselves with praise for the job Imanol Alguacil is doing at the club who have become most famous recently for their average mid-table finishes. The reason why is that the whites and Blues find themselves mixing it in the top four keeping a number of the established elite at bay. The problem though is Granada. The newly-promoted outfit have stolen all the headlines after sweeping to the top of the table (second now after Barca won last night) and have been doing a fine job of staying … [Read more...]
The 3 mid-week La Liga games not to miss
What a time to be alive as this week we get a double dose of La Liga action with mid-week and weekend games set to take place. With so much La Liga action to choose from, we have selected the three mid-week games you simply won’t want to miss with so much at stake in such a hectic season. Getafe v Granada – Thursday 31st Oct – 20.15 It feels slightly weird saying this, but Getafe have the honour of hosting league leaders Granada this weekend. Yep, you heard me right, Granada. Head coach Diego Martínez has worked miracles this season and guided his newly promoted charges to the … [Read more...]
Granada the unstoppable force
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...]