SPANISH LA LIGA WEEK 36- Two match Preview
With only three more game weeks left now, the Spanish La Liga is coming towards the time where the teams put in their final effort to finish with a flourish. This weekend brings us the two title contenders fighting against their respective opponents to gain three points, and hence move a step closer to their final goal of the coveted title. The first clash is when leaders Barcelona welcome 5th placed Villareal, fresh from a week of rest as the Blaugrana are no more in the Champions league, and can fully focus on the La liga title race after a disappointing exit from Europe’s premier competition. Later on the same day, Real Madrid will visit Granada, high on morale after defeating local rivals Atletico Madrid 3-0 in the midweek in the Champions League. With a game in hand, they will want to take no chance, and hence will go to grab all the three points.
FC BARCELONA VS VILLAREAL CF
3-way: 1: FC BARCELONA -526 X: +850 Draw 2: VILLAREAL CF: +1800
Spread -2.5:FC BARCELONA +119; VILLAREAL CF -122
Total +4: OVER -101; UNDER -102
FC BARCELONA
Barcelona being top of the table show only half of the picture when it comes to the Spanish La Liga title. They are ahead on goal difference, but Real Madrid have a game in hand, which makes it all the more important for Barca to grab all three points this weekend, because any dropped points will probably result in Real Madrid grabbing any chance of the trophy from the Blaugrana. And moreover, Barca have a point to prove to the fans after dismal showing in the quarterfinal of the champions league when they failed to overcome a brilliant Juventus defense. It is a surprise to everyone, keeping in mind Barcelona has the most coveted front three in the world.
With 81 points, Barcelona have won maximum points against all the opponents they have faced in the league this season. Of those 81 points, 42 have been won in front of the Camp Nou crowd. They have won 5 of their last 6 games in the Spanish La Liga, losing just one. Their current home record over the last 6 games is 6-0-0, which shows their superb run of form at home currently. Even though they have won majority of their matches, it is a surprise that their most common score this season is a 1:1 draw, which has occurred 5 times so far.
When you have Lionel Messi in your team, along with lethal forwards like Neymar and Luis Suarez, then your team is definitely going to score a lot of goals. The Catalans have scored a whooping 104 goals in the Spanish La Liga this season, which is the highest in the league. 56 of those goals have come at the Camp Nou. They also have got a decent, if not watertight defense, which has conceded 33 goals, keeping 13 clean sheets on the way. 7 of those clean sheets have been at home.
Their talisman Leo Messi is storming his way to the league’s scoring charts, with a whooping 33 goals to his name, with a few games left to add to this special tally, something that he has done on a regular basis. Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez has provided 12 assists in the league, the highest for the team, and the highest in the league. German Keeper Ter Stegen has the second highest clean sheets in the league, with 13 to his name.
There are a few worries when it comes to the medical department for the Catalans. They have long term absentees in Aleix Vidal, having a broken ankle, and Rafinha, having a Miniscus injury. Jeremy Mathieu, Andres Iniesta, and Jordi Alba are all doubts as they recover from leg injuries.
VILLAREAL CF
With a decent season coming to a its ending, Villareal would want to finish in the proper manner, so as to maintain or better their 5th position in Spanish La Liga, and have an outside chance at the Champions League for the next season. They need to put in a strong performance against Barcelona this weekend, as the Catalans are prepared to give their all in a bid to have a chance at defending the La Liga title.
Stationed just outside the top 4, the Yellow Submarines, as Villareal are called, would do well to hold on to their 5th position, which they have reached by accruing 63 points so far, 36 of which have come at home. They have a decent record over their last 6 away games, 4-0-2, but they will need to be at their best to beat Barca. Villareal have won both of their last two games, a 1:0 away victory against Atletico Madrid, followed by a 3:1 victory against sporting Gijon at home. In fact, they have lost only 1 in their last 6 games. Their most common result has been a 0:0 draw this season, which has occurred 5 times so far.
They are not spectacular, but decent when it comes to scoring. They have scored 52 goals this season, 35 of which have come at home. They have built their impressive season on the back of a strong defense, which has conceded only 28 goals in the league, which is the second best in the league. They have kept an impressive number of clean sheets on the way, 15, which shows how strong they have been at protecting their goal.
Their top scorer this season has been Cedric Bukambu, who has scored 10 league goals this season, followed by Roberto Soriano, who has scored 9. Soriano has also been pretty helpful in laying off chances for his teammates, which is clear by his 5 assists in the league. Goalkeeper Sergio Asenjo has 11 clean sheets to his name, which is the 4th highest in the league.
When it comes to players missing out through injury, they have quite a few players to worry about. Asenjo, suffering from a Cruciate ligament injury, is out for the season. Denis Cheryshev, and Victor Ruiz Tore, are both out for the game, having leg injuries. Bruno Soriano, and Alvaro Gonzalez Soberon, are both doubtful for the clash, as their extent of recovery is not known yet.
FC BARCELONA vs VILLAREAL CF MATCH PREDICTION
On paper, this looks like a game where the Catalans would take all three points easily. However, this season Villareal have shown that they are no pushovers. This means that both the teams would have to fight it out for the 3 points at Camp Nou. Still, this being a home game, and having a world class trio in Messi, Neymar, and Suarez, Barcelona will probably edge it through. Villareal might score a goal, but it won’t be enough against a mighty Barca attack. Therefore, I would put my money on both teams to score.
MY PICK: Both teams to score YES (-125)
GRANADA FC vs REAL MADRID CF
3-way: 1: GRANADA: +2600 X: +1050 Draw 2: REAL MADRID: -714
Spread +2.5: GRANADA +114; REAL MADRID -122
Total +4.5: Over +110; Under -123
GRANADA FC
This season has been a sad story indeed for Granada FC. The club tried hard to push its way to safety, but alas, they will not be in the Spanish La Liga come next season. Even last ditch efforts for survival, notably bringing in Arsenal legend Tony Adams as manager, failed as the club has no way that the can stay up in the top flight. With three games left to play, the players should still try to play for pride, which is easier said than done, but this is something that every club should do for its fans. However, a visit by a high-flying Real Madrid team will be probably be the last thing the club would like to face, but nor do they have any choice, nor do they have anything on line, except for pride for the fans.
They have accumulated just 20 points in the Spanish La Liga this season, 16 of which have come in home matches. They are winless in their last 10 matches. Their current home form over the last 6 matches is 0-1-5. Their last two matches have ended in a defeat. A 0:2 home defeat against Malaga was followed by a 2:1 away defeat at Real Sociedad. They have been so poor this season that their most common score line has been a 3:1 defeat, which has occurred 6 times throughout this season.
They have been poor in attack this season, a statement that is supported by the fact that they have only scored 28 goals this season, a number that is less than what Messi alone has scored in the league. 16 of those goals have been scored at home. They have a horrible defense, which is clear from the fact that they have let in a whooping 74 goals in the league, 48 being conceded away from home. They have only kept 3 clean sheets.
Mehdi Gonzalez and Artem Kravetz have been the top scorers for the club in the Spanish La Liga this season, with 5 goals each, with 1 and 2 assists respectively. When it comes to players missing out the weekend clash with Real Madrid, there are quite a few. Ezequiel Ponce will miss the match through suspension, while Matthieu Sauncier is out for the season. Artem Kravets, Hector Hernandez, Franck Tabanou, and Martin Hongla, all are major doubts for the match, as they all recover from various leg injuries.
REAL MADRID CF
The morale is certainly high in the Madrid based club’s campus. They are almost in the Champions league final, and they also have a major hand in the Spanish La Liga title race, provided they win their rest of the matches. They have just come back from a midweek victory against local rivals Atletico, and are surely high on confidence, after scoring three goals against them. A clash against relegation-fated Granada is perfect for Zidane to give his fringe players a chance, as he is blessed with a seriously strong squad, and still win the match.
With 34 games played so far, Los Blancos sit behind Barcelona on goal difference, but have played a game less than the Catalans. They have collected a total of 81 points in the Spanish La Liga so far, with 43 of them won at home matches. They are in very good away form. They have won all of their last 6 away matches, and should have no problem dispatching Granada and making it seven. They have won both of their last two league matches. The first match was a 6:2 away thumping of Deportivo, which was followed by a 2:1 win against Valencia. Their most common score this season has been 2:1 victories, which have occurred 7 times this season.
Los Blancos have been pretty good at scoring goals, which shouldn’t be a surprise keeping in mind the attacking talent they have at their disposal. They have scored a massive 92 goals, 44 of which have been scored at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium. Their defense isn’t the best in the league, but it isn’t really poor either. They have conceded 39 goals, keeping 8 clean sheets in the process.
Their Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo is leading the scoring charts for the team in the league, which isn’t really a surprise anymore for those who have seen him become a lethal goalscorer in Madrid. He has 20 goals to his name, along with a decent 6 assists, which shows his eye for the final pass too. He is followed by Alvaro Morata, who has been limited to a supporting role, but has still managed to score 13 goals and get 4 assists. German playmaker Toni Kroos has chipped in with 11 assists to his name so far in the league.
Welshman Gareth Bale will sit out due to a Calf Injury, while Carvajal, who was withdrawn in the midweek derby, will also miss out with a hamstring injury. Defender Pepe is back in training and hence could be available for selection.
GRANADA FC vs REAL MADRID CF MATCH PREDICTION
With the home team relegated, and their confidence in tatters, this looks to be a match where the Los Blancos could take a step forward in claiming their first league title in five years. Even if manager Zidane makes changes to the lineup of the visitors, Real Madrid will have enough firepower to claim a win against the home team. Although I expect a comfortable win of the Los Blancos, I don’t think that there will be more than 4 goals, which is why I will take the under!!!
MY PICK: Under 4.5 goals (-122)
