This week brings us more than one tie that may shape the rest of the season both at the bottom and the top of La Liga. There are no bigger games than when the two top teams come face-to-face; this weekend kindly presents us with just that.
As for the predictions, it is ‘1’ for a home win, ‘X’ for a draw and ‘2’ for an away win.
Athletic Bilbao (4th) – Alméria (14th): 1
Last weekend Athletic Bilbao did battle with their eternal Basque rivals, Real Sociedad, and lost. They then travelled down to Andalucía midweek to face a struggling Real Betis side in the first leg of the Copa del Rey quarter-finals, and lost. They will be hoping they fair much better this week when they are back in the comfort of their new San Mamés. They will be more than happy playing on home soil again as they are currently unbeaten in nine there this season which will give them a big confidence boost. Almería are currently on a good run of form though having hammered Granada last week, 3-0, and ground out a 1-0 away win at Betis just before Christmas. Almería may fancy their chances of snatching a point but they will find it tough without their top scorer Rodri.
Celta Vigo (18th) – Valencia (8th): X
Celta did not manage to pull off a shock last week, instead they lost 3-0 to Real Madrid thanks to three second half goals from Benzema and Ronalda (2). They held out well for over an hour but succumbed to Madrid’s firepower, although Celta’s Brazilian attacker, Rafinha, did miss two fantastic chances. They won’t be feeling any more confident back at their Balaídos home though; they have the worst home record in the division. Valencia on the other hand will be buoyed having held Atlético to a 1-1 draw midweek at the Mestalla. Despite this Valencia have been poor on the road this season, managing just seven points from eight games to make them one of the worst performing away sides in La Liga this season. I think both sides may cancel each other out on Saturday evening and settle for the draw.
Atlético Madrid (2nd) – Barcelona (1st): X
The game of the season so far is upon us. The joint leaders of La Ligawill battle it out it what will be a frenzied, cauldron-like Vicente Calderón. The game will see to clash of styles, Barca’s tiki-tika possession football against Atlético’s ruthless, cut-throat decisiveness. Tata Martino’s men want to wear you down before they deliver the final blow, whereas Diego Simeone’s troops just go straight in there with the sledgehammer. Both managers may be Argentinian but their styles are almost diametrically opposed; there will be no tactical surprises come Saturday night. Big news for los Cules – Messi is back. Whether he will start on the field or on the bench is unsure but it is no doubt a huge boost. If he does start there will be four other in-form, world-class forwards going for just two places. Pedro? Cesc? Neymar? Alexis? Only Martino will know that.
Atlético don’t have the same problems in whom to choose as Barcelona. What they do have is a settled, consistent and deadly starting line-up, who is vying for blood. Atlético have won their last five in the league, whereas Barca just the last three. However, form will not come in to it. It will be down to which team wants it more and to say that is hard to predict will be an understatement. Atlético have not been considered as real title contenders for some years, but this year is definitely different. They are hungry and they have got the team to take them to the end of the season. Will David Villa come back to haunt his old employers? Be sure to look this one.
Elche (16th) – Sevilla (7th): 2
Fran Escribá, manager of Elche, said this week, if his team don’t commit any errors they can win against Sevilla. Although this is possible, I think the chances are slim. Elche have hardly been scintillating at home this season with only two wins coming against Espanyol and Valencia, both of whom who have had their troubles on the road this season. Sevilla find themselves just shy of a European place, largely due to their excellent home record. With three wins, three draws and three defeats, Sevilla’s away form is indifferent to say the least. They did beat Villarreal last time out on the road, so Unai Emery’s boys will be brimming with confidence for this one.
Getafe (9th) – Rayo Vallecano (19th): 1
The early Sunday morning kick-off sees two of La Liga’s less extravagant teams lock horns. Despite sitting in ninth place, Getafe have been in rather poor form of late, conceding 12 in the last three games, although they have faced Barcelona twice! Rayo have not done much better, letting in five at home to an effective Villarreal side last week. The last four games between the two sides have all gone in favour to Rayo, but I can’t see them pulling it off this time around. If Getafe put their mind to it, I think they will just about grind this one out.
Betis (20th) – Osasuna (15th): 1
Betis are back! By ‘back’ I mean they have managed to score a goal…and a win. Unfortunately for Béticos it didn’t gain them three points, but a win in a first leg Copa del Rey tie against Athletic. However, a win is a win and it will bring with it a smidgen of well-needed confidence for Juan Carlos Garrido’s side who are without a league win since September! Their counterparts on Sunday afternoon are managing a little better thanks to a little five game unbeaten run, including a two all draw against Real Madrid. Osasuna have struggled away from home though, securing just two wins in nine. With Rubén Castro back in the starting line-up and on the goal sheet, I feel Betis may be able to put a little run together themselves, continuing at home this weekend.
Espanyol (10th) – Real Madrid (3rd): 2
Carlo Ancelotti’s men are on a fine run of form and haven’t conceded in the last two games, whereas Espanyol haven’t scored in the last two games. Real Madrid are almost at full strength and they will be delighted that Xabi Alonso has signed a new two year deal. They will be missing young gun, Jesé, but I think the likes of Ronaldo, Bale, Benzema and Isco will be able to cope. It is this firepower that will be the difference, both sides have conceded a similar amount of goals (Madrid 21, Espanyol 24) but los blancos have scored more than double Espanyol’s tally. The team from Cataluyna do have a half-decent home record but it will be no match for Madrid.
Levante (12th) – Málaga (11th): X
This is a real mid-table battle. Both sides can’t be split with five wins, five draws and eight losses to their names. Both sides are hardly flushed with goals either, between their last eight games this season, spectators have only seen four goals. Levante have been uninspiring at home whereas Málaga have only won once away from home. The stats don’t look good for this one. I’m going for a low-scoring draw.
Villarreal (6th) – Real Sociedad (5th): X
This game has the capacity to be an exciting, fun-filled encounter. I say the ‘capacity’ because both sides have been in excellent form and have been scoring plenty of goals, however they played each other midweek in the cup and it ended up in a boring, goalless draw. If we give them the benefit of the doubt with it being the first leg of a quarter final, then this weekend may produce a different affair. Villarreal are looking more like the side they were a few seasons back when they were playing Champions League football. Their 5-2 away demolition of Rayo last weekend sent a clear message that they are not messing around this season. Neither are Real Sociedad. They are on a great run of form and can claim to be the best team in the Basque Country after last week’s win against Athletic. In Uche, Villarreal have a front man they can rely on for goals. Sociedad on the other hand have Antoine Griezmann. Griezmann plies his trade out wide but have weighed in with 12 goals already this season; a great return. I can see this one being an exciting, score draw.
Granada (13th) - Valladolid (17th) - Game played Friday evening.