After the international break, La Liga resumes with a full fixture list this weekend and it is an unfamiliar name which sits on top of La Liga (albeit on goal difference). Unfancied Las Palmas have got off to a flyer this season defeating Valencia 4-2 Away in their opening game then putting Granada to the sword 5-1 in their opening home game last time out. Granted, it is still very early days but could Las Palmas be about to do a Leicester city and fly under the radar to glory? In the betting stakes, these Spanish minnows are unfancied, with this review of Bovada.lv putting them at … [Read more...]
Barcelona want €10million alternative if they miss out on €40million Marquinhos deal
Barcelona will pursue Las Palmas defender Mauricio Lemos if they miss out on the signing of PSG star Marquinhos, according to reports from Goal. With Javier Mascherano, Thomas Vermaelen and Jeremy Mathieu all entering their thirties, Barcelona are currently in the market to sign a new central defender and Paris Saint-Germain star Marquinhos has been seen as the main target for the Spanish champions. According to various reports, Barcelona are very keen on securing the services of Marquinhos and will be ready to splash as much as €40 million in order to recruit the 22-year-old this … [Read more...]
Analysis – Barcelona vs Real Madrid: Who will win the Champions League this season
To predict the winner of the UEFA Champions League at the current stage of the competition is virtually impossible and this season is no different as there are a number of strong contenders as well as dark horses who are capable of going all the way. In the betting on the Champions League, the bookies feel that Spanish duo Barcelona and Real Madrid have the best chance of claiming triumph in the Champions League this season, with their odds being priced at 2/1 and 9/2 respectively. Given the embarrassment of riches in terms of talented players in both Barcelona and Real Madrid, it is no … [Read more...]
The best La Liga XI of the 21st Century
La Liga has hosted many of the modern day greats. Yet, many pundits in the United Kingdom are keen to criticise the apparent monopolization of resources by Barcelona and Real Madrid. Is this really any different to Manchester United and Liverpool until recently, anyway? Or in Germany where Bayern Munich essentially buy off the competition? Or about in Italy where Juventus appear to be on track for a fourth Serie A title? Since 2000, five, yes five different teams in La Liga have won the league. This number is more than all the other major leagues, including England. Valencia, Deportivo, … [Read more...]
Shilton: Casillas can break my record
Former England goalkeeper Peter Shilton says that Spain captain Iker Casillas can break his record for World Cup clean sheets this year. Shilton, who also holds the record for number of England caps at 125, kept 10 clean sheets in his World Cup career and is tied for the record with France's Fabien Barthez. Spain's captain Casillas currently has 7 shutouts, but could potentially play in another 7 games if he makes it to his second consecutive World Cup Final in Brazil this year. "Personally I hope he doesn't break it!" Shilton said. "It is possible for him to get the record but I hope he … [Read more...]
Infographic: England’s Road Through The Group Stages
England face Italy on Saturday night in the jungle city of Manaus, which will look and feel like a very close encounter, not least because of the humidity! Apart from the stifling conditions and dodgy playing surface, what else do we know about the Arena Amazonia and England's other World Cup venues? Thanks to this handy infographic below from Hertz, you can find out all the details about each stadium Roy Hodgson's men will be representing the Three Lions in, so you can follow England in Brazil this summer. And, if you dare to dream, the graphic also shows England's potential route to the … [Read more...]
World Cup Group B Team Profile – Netherlands
In what will be a repeat of the 2010 World Cup Final, Spain face the Netherlands in their opening Group B game, with the 'Oranje' looking to exact revenge for the 1-0 defeat four years ago. After failure at Euro 2012, will the Dutch be able to hold Spain to a draw over 90 minutes again, or steam through the group like they did in qualifying? … [Read more...]
Promoted Eibar closer to relegation than La Liga
After beating local rivals Deportivo Alaves on Sunday evening, SD Eibar were promoted to La Liga following Las Palmas' defeat to Recreativo Huelva. The tiny club from the Basque Country has never featured in the top division against the likes of Barcelona, Real and Atletico Madrid in their 74 year history, but due to an absurd technicality, could be forced to wait even longer for their time at the top. Due to no fault of their own, the Basques could even find themselves demoted to the Segunda Division B if the rules stand. It is a rule which has sparked mass interest in Spain and across … [Read more...]
Champions League Final Preview
On the back of a historic week, Atletico Madrid must mount one final surge to cap off a season which has defied all expectations. Having won the La Liga title just seven days ago, Diego Simeone will lead his side out in a Champions League final against city rivals Real Madrid, who are gunning for their tenth European Cup. … [Read more...]
Five things we learnt about Spain at the Euros
If you haven't been living under a rock for the past twenty four hours you'd be aware of the fact that Spain have once again been crowned champions of Europe after an awe-inspiring 4-0 victory over Italy in last night's Euro 2012 final. In spite of arduous comments from the media that their 'Tiki-Taka' style of football had become boring, La Roja silenced their critics once again by retaining their European Championship under the lights of Kiev's Olympic stadium with a quite dazzling display of football. Here's five important things we learned about Spain after the successful defence of their … [Read more...]