As the Spanish La Liga season comes to a close, most of the matches that are left are more or less a dead rubber, as most teams are assured of their final finish. However, this Saturday, there are three matches this that will have pride, and better league finishes at stake.
The first match covered in this preview is Deportivo La Coruna vs. UD Las Palmas. Deportivo needs just one point to be mathematically secured from relegation, even though that is only possible if Sporting oversee a massive 9 goal change in their goal difference. This means the home side will go for the win in an attempt to snatch maximum points so as to end the season on a high note.
The other match is when Sporting de Gijon welcomes Real Betis to their ground. Sporting is technically relegated, as they need to oversee a massive win and hope that Deportivo lose the final game of the season.
The last match covered in this free three-match Spanish La Liga previews is between CD Leganes and Deportivo Alaves, where nothing is at stake, except for a bit better league finish, as both the teams are confirmed to be in the league for the next season.
DEPORTIVO LA CORUNA vs. UD LAS PALMAS
3-Way: 1: DEPORTIVO LA CORUNA -123; X: +333 Draw; 2: UD LAS PALMAS +365
Spread -0.5: DEPORTIVO LA CORUNA -127; UD LAS PALMAS +119
Total +3: Over -114; Under +104
DEPORTIVO LA CORUNA
This season has been a dismal one for Deportivo. As the final game day of the season approaches, they are still not completely secured from relegation troubles. It must be noted that they have a chance of getting relegated only if they suffered a heavy defeat and Sporting Gijon oversee a big win on the final day of the season. Nevertheless, it is absolutely important for Deportivo to win the final game of the season to give the fans something to cheer about, as they have not seen their team perform to the level of expectations this season.
With just 33 points this season, Deportivo sit just above relegation spots at 17th position, even though they are more or less secured of their top flight status for the next league season. Their current league form over the last 5 matches is 0-2-3, which shows how they have struggled for points over the last few matches. Their last match was a 0:0 draw against Villarreal, where they were left untroubled only due to some slack finish by the Yellow Submarines. Before, they were defeated by Espanyol at home by 1:2.
Scoring goals has been a problem for this Deportivo side as they have managed to score only 40 goals this season, with 24 of those coming in home matches. Only three teams have scored lesser goals than Deportivo. Not only the attack, but they have a pretty porous defense too. The backline has conceded 61 goals this season in the league, with 23 of them coming at home. During this season, they have kept 8 clean sheets.
Florin Andone has been the top scorer for the Deportivo team in the Spanish La Liga. He has 10 goals to his name, along with 2 assists. When it comes to assists, the most effective player in the team is Juan Moreno, who has 6 assists to his name, the most in the squad. Midfielder Emre Colak has also been effective in the attacking department, with 3 goals and 5 assists to his name.
When it comes to injuries and suspensions, Deportivo have quite a few concerns for the final match of the season. Celso Borges and Dario Lux miss the match through suspension. Forward Joselu is out from April and will only return next season due to Achilles Tendon injury, while Sidnei, Juanfran Moreno and Alejando Arribas, are major doubts for the match as their recovery status from their respective leg injuries hasn’t been determined yet.
UD LAS PALMAS
As the Spanish La Liga season comes to a close, Las Palmas have been guaranteed to extend their stay in the Spanish top flight by at least another season, as their status has been confirmed for the next la liga season. Even though they haven’t been the most perfect when it comes to style of play, but they still have managed to put together some beautiful pieces of play to enthrall the supporters this season. They have managed to grab enough points of their matches that their top flight status is ensured for another season.
Sitting at 14th position in the Spanish La Liga with 39 points, Las Palmas cannot go any higher. 33 of those points have come at home, which shows they have been much stronger at home than away. Their current league record over the last 5 matches has been poor; 0-1-4. Their last match ended in a defeat against Barcelona where they were triumphed 4:1. Before this, they lost to Sporting Gijon away in an Agonizing defeat by 1:0. What will worry the Las Palmas fans the most is that they have won only one match the entire league season when playing away. Come the last match of the season, the fans will be hoping that the team is able to buck this trend and grab a victory.
Going forward, Las Palmas have been just about average. Not scoring a lot, but they have managed to score enough to grab them points here and there. Los Amarillos have scored 53 goals this season, with 33 of those coming at home. The main problem for the team this season has been the defense. They have conceded a massive 75 goals this season. Only 25 of those have been at home, which again shows how weak they have been when on the road. The team has managed to keep only 5 clean sheets throughout the season.
Experienced midfielder Kevin Prince Boateng has been the top scorer for the team with 10 goals to his name, along with 4 assists. Closely following him is striker Jonathan Viera. He has 7 goals to his name, and also an impressive 7 assists, as he leads the team when it comes to league assists.
There are a few concerns when it comes to the availability of players for the match. Marko Livaja is suspended for the match, while Dani Castellano is also out with a Thigh injury. Vicente Gomez (back), Tana (Achilles tendon) and Javi Varas (ankle) are all doubts for the match and their situations have to be evaluated.
DEPORTIVO LA CORUNA vs. UD LAS PALMAS MATCH PREDICTION:
This match has to be a tricky one to predict. Both teams are out of form, with recent losses pointing towards a confidence crisis among the players. It must be noted that Deportivo is a bit high on comfort and confidence as they have virtually sealed their top flight status for the next season, but this might result in a bit of complacency creeping in their players.
With that being said, I will take the over 3 goals.
MY PICK: Over 3 goals (-114)
SPORTING GIJON vs. REAL BETIS
3-Way: 1: SPORTING GIJON +154; X: +264 Draw 2: REAL BETIS +204
Spread 0: SPORITNG GIJON -118; REAL BETIS +110
Total +2.5: Over -132; Under +125
SPORTING GIJON
It is safe to say that the Spanish La liga journey of Sporting will end this weekend, where it will be confirmed that they are going to get relegated, until and unless the weekend results in massive changes in the goal difference of Deportivo la Coruna and Gijon both, which would mean that Gijon might have a chance to stay afloat in the league based on goal difference.
However the chances of this event happening is very unlikely, which may affect the players’ morale, and it is up to the manager and the players themselves to motivate themselves to put on a good performance for the fans.
Sitting at 18th of the Spanish La Liga, the last relegation spot in the league table, Sporting Gijon has had a very difficult season; unable to convert chances, get together a string of passes to fashion chances at goal, and having an easily breach-able defense, always meant that they were going to have a tough time in the league.
They have accumulated 30 points in the Spanish La Liga, with 18 of those coming at home matches. Their current form in the league is 2-2-1, which shows that they have been playing well over the last few matches, but it looks to be too little, too late. Their last two matches have been victories; a 1:0 win against Las Palmas at home, was followed by an away victory against Eibar by the same score.
Scoring goals has not been easy for the team, as they have struggled with their ability to create chances and convert them. Gijon have scored 40 goals in the league, 24 of those coming at home games. Their defense has been awful, as teams have found it very easy to cut through them. Sporting have conceded a massive 70 goals in the league, with 36 of those coming at home. They have managed to keep only 7 clean sheets.
Serbian Forward Duje Cop has been the leader in goals for Sporting. He has managed to score 9 goals, and also provide 3 assists. Following him is Carlos Carmona, with 7 goals to his name and a solitary assist. When it comes to assists, Moises Bardonado is leading the way with 5 assists.
There are a few injury concerns form the medical department, even though Juan Martinez is back in training. Lillo Castellano, Borja Viguera and Jean-Sylvain Babin are all doubts for the match with ankle injuries, while Dani Ndi is a concern with Calf Injury.
REAL BETIS
After gaining promotion to the Spanish La Liga again two seasons ago, Real Betis impressed people with their good performances and by finishing an impressive 10th. However, this season paints a different story, as they have struggled to get into a good run of results, and hence are lurking near the bottom of the table. A poor attack along with an uncoordinated defense has resulted in Betis finishing the season highest at 14th. With the last match of the season, the Beticos must look forward to getting at least a good performance against relegation contenders Sporting Gijon.
Sitting at the 15th position of the Spanish La Liga this has been a struggle for Betis in the league, even though they are pretty clear away from relegation troubles. They have accumulated 38 points in the league, out of which25 have been won at home. Their current league record over the last five league games is 1-1-3. They haven’t won in their last 4 league matches. Beticos’ last league match was a dodgy 1:1 draw at home against Atletico Madrid, which was preceded by a 4:0 away thrashing at newly promoted Leganes.
A weak attack and a porous defense have been one of the prime reasons for Betis’ struggles this season. They have managed to score only 39 goals in the Spanish La Liga her season, with 22 of those coming in home matches. Not only the attack, but their defense has been pretty woeful too. They have conceded a whooping 62 goals, with 38 of those coming at home matches. They still have managed to keep 10 clean sheets though.
Forward Ruben Castro has been their lead scorer with 11 goals to his name in the league, along with 3 assists. No other player is even close to those numbers in theBetis squad. Following him is Antonio Sanabria, with 4 goals to his name, while Riza Durmisi is the highest assist provider in the team, with 4 to his name.
There are a few concerns in the injuries and suspensions section for the Betis team. Antonio Adan is out with suspension, while Sanabria had is already out for the season. Ruben Pardo and Alejandro Sanchez are both a doubt for this match due to their knee injuries. On the positive side, Cristiano Piccini is back in training along with Alex Alegria.
SPORTING GIJON vs. REAL BETIS MATCH PREDICTION
This match appears to be a dead rubber, at least from Real Betis point of view, as they cannot have a massive upturn in league position, and nor can Sporting be assured of staying up even if they win this match. However, Sporting will like to bow out on a high, and hence try to put in an inspired performance for their fans. And even though they have been on a poor form, Real Betis have enough players in their ranks. This match appears to be a 50-50 when it comes to predicting the winner. So keeping these factors in consideration, I will like to go for a draw. My prediction will be both of them sharing the spoils and no team keeping a clean sheet, and hence, Sporting bidding adieu to the Top Flight.
MY PICK: DRAW (+250)
CD LEGANES vs. DEPROTIVO ALAVES
3-Way:1: CD LEGANES +120; X: +263 Draw 2: DEPORTIVO ALAVES +320
Spread -0.5: CD LEGANES +102; DEPORTIVO ALAVES -1108
Total +2.5: +120; Under -105
CD LEGANES
As most of the fans predicted for Leganes, this season has been a very difficult one for the team. After gaining promotion to the Spanish La Liga for the first time, Leganes had expected to have a tough time, and their main objective was to avoid relegation. And one must appreciate the commitment of the players, who have managed just about enough points to have another season in the La Liga, and hopefully for the Leganes fans, a much more positive one.
Sitting at 16th position in the Spanish table, the Pepineros have accumulated 34 points, just about making themselves safe from relegation troubles. 20 of those points have been won at home games. Their current league record over the last 5 games is 2-1-2. Lega have been unbeaten in their last 2 matches in league. Their last match was an away 1:1 draw at Athletic Bilbao, before which they won at home against real Betis 4:0.
Scoring goals have been quite a problem for the newcomers in the Primera Division. They have managed to score 35 goals, with 21 of those coming at home matches. Their defense has been average, considering the fact that this is their first season in the top flight. The Backline has conceded 54 goals in the league, with 22 of them coming at home. An impressive stat is that the team has managed to keep 11 clean sheets in their very first top flight season.
Alexander Szymanwoski is the top scorer for Leganes in the league. The Argentine forward has 8 goals to his name, and has also provided 2 assists. Next to him are Gabriel Pires and Miguel Guerrero, who have both contributed with 5 goals each. Wingman Nabil El Zhar is the leader in terms of assists with 4 assists, and 4 goals to his name.
Robert Ibanez and Jon Ander Serantes both are already known to be out for the season with both suffering Cruciate Ligament injuries. Unai Bastinuza is suspended for the match, while Omar Ramos is back in training after January when he suffered a thigh injury.
DEPORTIVO ALAVES
This has been a very positive season for newly promoted Alaves in the Spanish La Liga Their defensive solidity and concentration & team work levels have helped the club to climb to the 9th spot of the league table, and they might as well finish higher than that. When most critics were saying that Alaves would be struggling in the league after their promotion, they have put their head down and proven every doubter wrong as their solid style of play surged them to the top half of the table.
Sitting at 9th position of the Spanish La Liga, El Glorioso have accrued 54 points in the season when they returned to the la liga after almost a decade. Their current league record over their last 5 games is 3-2-0. During this unbeaten run, they have shown some attractive football, as well as their usual defensive effectiveness. They defeated Atheletic Bilbao at home by 1:0, which was followed by another win at home; this time against Celta Vigo who were defeated 3:1.
Scoring goals is something that Alaves have been pretty average at, as they have managed to score only 40 goals in the league so far, with 19 of them coming at home. Even though the defense hasn’t really stopped all the teams from scoring, it still has a very organized look to it. They have conceded 42 goals, with half of those coming at home. Impressively, they have managed to keep 12 clean sheets this season.
Deyverson Acosta has been the top scorer for Los Glorioso this season, with 7 league goals, and one assist to his name. Ibai Gomez is next in line, with 5 goals to his name and 2 assists also. Young left back Theo Hernandez is also good at getting forward, as is shown by his 3 assists, and a thunderbolt of a goal two weeks ago, which was his first in the league. Goalkeeper Fernando Pacheco has 11 clean sheets to his name, bettered only by 3 other keepers.
Einar Galilea is out till July due to cruciate ligament injury, while Alexis is suspended for the match. Victor Laguardia, Sergio Llamas, and Rodrigo Ely, are all doubts for their match as their fitness levels are not yet confirmed after recovery.
CD LEGANES vs. DEPROTIVO ALAVES MATCH PREDICTION
This is surely going to be an exciting match-up looking at the stats.
Alaves haven’t been very effective when going forward, but Leganes have been really watertight at the back. Leganes won their last match with a thumping win, but Alaves have been in much better form over the last few weeks.
This match will be a tight affair, but Alaves, considering the fact that they are on a good run and are high on confidence, must be looking forward to all 3 points. Leganes will provide resistance, but it might not be enough to defeat Alaves. I will go with the over in this one !!!
MY PICK: Over 2.5 (+120)
Additional Pick: Both teams to score YES (+104)
