On Monday, Real Madrid confirmed what we all knew was happening. Head coach Julen Lopetegui was given the boot with the 5-1 thumping by Barcelona the straw that broke the camel’s back. It does not matter who are, there is no coming back from that but when you throw in five defeats in seven, then the situation becomes critical and even if Lopetegui had managed to mastermind a result over the old enemy there was a sense that nothing could save him. It has been quite the fall from grace for the man who went nearly two years unbeaten as Spain manager before his association with Real … [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 … [Read more...]
La Liga Final Weekend Breakdown Part Two: 11th – 20th
In our previous article, we decided to take a look at what the sides in Spain’s top 10 have left to play as the season enters its final round of fixtures. Now, we take a look at what the sides in the bottom half of the table can still achieve heading into the final weekend of a thrilling season. Girona – 48 pts Just avoiding the drop has earned tiny Girona many plaudits but they still have the ability to finish inside the top ten in their debut top-flight season. However, defeat to Las Palmas on Saturday could see them slip to fifteenth but no matter happens, the season has been an … [Read more...]
The Rise of the Underdog: Girona, Real Betis, Getafe
This season, many people have been getting carried away by Barcelona’s dominance at the top of the table and Real Madrid’s domestic troubles. But the real story of the season still lies in the upper reaches of the division, just not with teams one may have expected. Girona, Real Betis and Getafe find themselves seventh, eighth and ninth respectively and above the likes of Athletic Bilbao, Real Sociedad, and Espanyol. Remarkably, newly promoted Girona find themselves just two points behind Sevilla and chasing down the unlikeliest of European places for next season. This has opened … [Read more...]
Can Atletico Madrid Topple Barcelona this weekend?
The stand out fixture of Spain’s top flight this weekend can be none other than Barcelona’s trip to Atletico’s brand-new Wanda Metropolitano. So far in the league things have been going well for the Madrid outfit in their new home with wins over Malaga and Sevilla on home turf already in the bank, however, now they face the stiffest visiting opponent of all in Barcelona. Seven matches in to the new season and Barce head coach Ernesto Valverde has guided his side to seven straight wins and five points clear at the top. However, what will be of more importance to the Barce faithful is … [Read more...]
Can Ousmane Dembele replace Neymar?
Barcelona were powerless to prevent Neymar moving for a world record transfer fee €222 million to Paris Saint-Germain during the summer transfer window. What followed was the Catalan club struggling to negotiate with Liverpool for Philippe Coutinho before settling on a €105 million deal to sign Ousmane Dembele for Borussia Dortmund. The French international had only shone in the German Bundesliga for one season after his move from Rennes, and had only made his professional debut two years before becoming the second most expensive player in the world at the age of 20. Whilst the … [Read more...]
Should Atletico Madrid re-sign Diego Costa?
They say in life you should never go back. For Diego Costa, Atletico Madrid may be the only option. The Chelsea striker was told he was no longer part of the manager’s plans at the end of last season but neither the club nor player found a resolution. Costa is currently on the books at Stamford Bridge and cannot move again until the January transfer window. Reports state that he’s been out partying in his country of birth, Brazil. The 28-year-old made his name as one of the best striker’s in the world during the 2013-14 season when he scored 27 goals in 34 La Liga games for Atletico … [Read more...]
6 La Liga Players Shortlisted for Golden Boy Award
Six players currently contracted for Spanish La Liga clubs have been shortlisted for the 2017 Golden Boy award. The award is run by Italian newspaper, Tuttosport, with the award given to Europe’s most-impressive footballer under the age of 21. 25 of the most promising players in Europe are shortlisted each year, dating back to 2003 when the Golden Boy award first started. Real Madrid forward Borja Mayoral is among the nominees. The 20-year-old came through the youth system before spending last season on loan at VfL Wolfsburg. He scored and provided the cross for the own goal which … [Read more...]
Two Games in, what three things have we learnt?
The first international break of the season comes around quickly for La Liga teams and although only having started their campaigns two weekends ago, already find themselves with time off to reflect on their opening couple of fixtures. It may be far too early to read too much into the new campaign, but based on what we have seen in the 180 minutes each side has had to show case their talents, we can take some strong assumptions as to how the season may pan out. Asensio looks the Real deal Marco Asensio’s double against Valencia at the weekend proved what we already knew, that the … [Read more...]
La Liga Season Preview: Real Hot to Trot Once More?
Real Madrid’s five year wait to reclaim the La Liga title for a record 33rd time in the competitions 88-year history, but the question this season is can they retain the trophy they had to wait half a decade for? If the transfer window is anything to go by, then Barcelona’s sale of Neymar Jr to Paris St Germain for an astronomical £190m has only enhanced Los Blancos title credentials (at least until Barcelona splash the cash on his replacement) but Zinedine Zidane will be wary of former Athletic Bilbao and Valencia head coach Ernesto Valverde who leaps into the Camp Nou hotseat. The … [Read more...]