As the teams return for the second round of the La Liga action, the Spanish league fans are gearing themselves up for another weekend of thrilling football action. We have prepared previews for the matches Alaves vs. Barcelona and Girona vs. Malaga, so as to keep our readers well aware of the latest team news and updates along with the current form.
ALAVES vs. BARCELONA
Three-way: 1: Alaves +1100; X: +509 Draw; 2: Barcelona -263
Spread +1.5: Alaves +108; Barcelona -111
Total +3: Over -102; Under -104
ALAVES
Last season, Alaves won a lot of admirers for their results and performances, as they worked hard and put in some really good performances to finish 9th in the league, immediately after getting promoted. They weren’t breathtaking in the attack, although they had a comparatively solid defense, as they scrapped through matches with an impressive work rate and a strong, determined team. They scored just 41 goals, although they managed to concede just 43 goals, which shows that they are more reliant on their defense than attack.
They have made various additions to their squad to make sure that they do not let their performance levels drop too much, and hence maintain their league results like last year. They have purchased Burgui from Real Madrid and defender Rodrigo Ely from AC Milan for 3 million each. Along with these two, they have also added Chile Centreback Maripan from CDUC, Keeper Antonio Siviera from Valencia and forward Ruben Sobrino from Manchester City, for 2 million Euros each. They have also added Enzo Zidane, who has left Madrid on a free transfer even though his father is the manager there.
The preparation for the new season didn’t happen the way they would want to. Alaves took part in 9 friendly matches, in which, they won only three, lost two, and drew four. During this period, they managed to hit the net 11 times and concede 7 goals. However, they still managed to keep four clean sheets, which would make the fans positive about the defensive abilities of the squad in the very least. They started their league campaign with a disappointment last weekend. They lost out to Levante
There aren’t many injury concerns for the manager ahead of their clash with Barcelona, as the only absentee will be center-back Victor Laguardia who will be out until December with a knee injury.
BARCELONA
The Catalan club has had it hard in the past few months. After ending the last La Liga season ranked second to rivals Real Madrid, they were expecting to come back stronger. However, there have been a lot of negative events in which the club has been involved. First, they lost Neymar even though the club and even the La Liga tried to prevent PSG from paying out his Buyout clause. Then, they had been knocked off in their approaches by clubs of players like Coutinho and Ousmane Dembele so far, as they haven’t been able to replace the Brazilian. They finished last season with an astonishing 116 league goals, in what was MSN’s last season. And they also had a decent defense that conceded the third fewest goals with 37. However, these numbers weren’t enough as they still finished 2nd behind rivals Real Madrid by 3 points.
They have made a few signings so far as they get ready for the Valverde Era. They have bought former Tottenham Midfielder Paulinho for a massive sum of 40 million Euros from CSL team Guangzhou Evergrande, and interestingly, the fans haven’t really taken to their new man so far. They have also purchased talented Benfica Right Back Nelson Semedo for 30 million, as they look to fill the Dani Alves spot at right back. They have exercised their Buy back option to buy Everton Winger Gerard Deulofeu back to Camp Nou for 12 million.
Barcelona had an early taste of competitive action as compared to most of their La Liga rivals, as they were a part of the Spanish Super Cup against Real Madrid. The post-Neymar effects were felt, as they succumbed to defeats in both the legs. The first leg was a 3-1 drubbing at home, which was followed by a 2: 0 loss at the Bernabeu. This showed that the club needs to strengthen their squad as the current one is failing to meet expectations on a regular basis, barring a few players.
Just before the start of the new La Liga season, star striker Luis Suarez suffered a knee injury and will be out for around a month, while midfield Maestro Andres Iniesta is a major concern as he is battling muscular problems and will undergo a late fitness test. Midfielder Rafinha is also with a Meniscus Injury suffered towards the end of last season.
ALAVES vs. BARCELONA –Match Prediction
Barcelona isn’t in the best of times currently, and they have to make sure that their fans do not see silly slip-ups in this period. It is the perfect time for Alaves to cause damage to the Catalans. However, Barca still has enough quality to easily navigate through this match, and grab all the three points. Therefore, my prediction will be an away win, with both the sides scoring in this match.
MY PICK: BARCELONA +1.5 (-111)
Additional Pick: Both teams to score YES (+104)
GIRONA vs. MALAGA
Three-way: 1: Girona +131; X: +240 Draw; 2: Malaga +278
Spread -0.5: Girona +120; Malaga -128
Total +2.5: Over +131; Under -137
GIRONA
After coming from the Second division of Spain, Girona is well aware that the club would not have it easy in the La Liga, as they will have to fight it out for their survival in every match. However, with their playing style and the work ethic and team spirit in the squad, Girona can very well surprise the league’s teams and do an ‘Alaves’ this season. They scored 65 goals and conceded 45 goals in 42 league matches, which make up for decent numbers for the team. They have had an impressive start to life in the top division as they managed to stun Atletico to draw 2:2 in the opening weekend.
They have only spent money in bringing Middlesbrough Defender Bernardo Espinosa for 4.5 million Euros. However, they have made some good signings on a free transfer. They have signed experienced goalkeeper Gorka Iraizoz from Bilbao, while also bringing in Left back Carles Planas for free. The club has also signed some players from the premier league on loan. Manchester City has sent Aleix Garcia, Douglas Luiz, Pablo Maffeo and Marlos Moreno, along with Stoke’s Marc Muniesa, have all joined the club on loan.
Girona didn’t have a very good preseason, but solid just about describes it. Out of the six friendly matches they played, they only lost 1, although they drew three of the remaining five. In this period, they scored 6 goals, and conceded 5 times, although they kept impressive three clean sheets. These stats indicate that Girona will be relying on a defensive game plan and hit their opponents on the counter for much of the season.
MALAGA
Malaga had another mediocre season in the Spanish La Liga last year, where they didn’t reach any spectacular heights, but didn’t make any grave errors that cost them a lot of points and pushed them towards the bottom of the table. The club finished a decent 11th, although the fans have a feeling that the position could have been better in the league, which they will be hoping is the case this season. Malaga scored 49 goals in La Liga last season, while conceding 55. These average numbers indicate that Malaga need to step up their performances to have better results.
They have lost influential players from last season in Camacho and Fornals, and Sandro Ramirez too who bagged important goals last season. With the 32mn Euros earned from these sales, Malaga is yet to bring in necessary first team capable players. They have bought argentine youngster Emanuel Cecchini from Banifield for 4 million, to fill the gap in midfield. And for another 700k Euros, they have bought defender Diego Gonzalez from Sevilla Atletic and keeper Cenk Gonen from Galtasaray. They have also signed Adrian Gonzalez from Eibar and Juankar from Braga on free transfers.
Malaga had a really poor preparation for this La Liga campaign, as they didn’t fare well in preseason. Of the eight friendly matches that they took part in, Malaga were able to win just one, losing all the others. They scored just 6 goals, while conceding a disappointing 12 goals. The fans will be praying that these preseason results are not repeated during the season, as it will put the club in serious risk of relegation.
There are a couple of injury concerns for the manager ahead of the match this weekend. Fullbacks Federico Ricca and Miguel Torres are both out until October as they recover from shoulder and ankle injuries respectively.
GIRONA vs. MALAGA – Match Prediction:
Girona will have the tag of potential underdogs in this match, as Malaga are more experienced in this league than Girona in recent rimes. However, Girona showed some real grit and determination, along with footballing ability and efficiency as they frustrated Atletico Madrid and drew 2:2. Malaga lost their first fixture, and have shown little or no signs of getting good results. Therefore, my prediction will be a home win in this match for Girona.
MY PICK: GIRONA to win (+131)
