Bilbao will welcome Getafe as they prepare to start their La Liga campaign with a win in front of their fans, while Barcelona, who are suffering from a dip in form due to various factors, will be determined to put out a statement in front of the fans when they play host to Real Betis, that the club is still very much one of the best in the world.
ATHLETIC BILBAO vs. GETAFE
Three-way: 1: Athletic Bilbao -169; X: +350 Draw; 2: Getafe +650
Spread -1: Athletic Bilbao -110; Getafe +106
Total +2.5: Over +100; Under -103
ATHLETIC BILBAO
Bilbao had another decent season in the Spanish La Liga, as they managed to secure a spot in the Europa league qualifiers as they finished 7th in the league. However, the fans will be aware of the fact that the performance levels were a bit low in many matches last season, which would give rise to concern in the hearts of the fans. The Basque club scored 53 goals last season in the La Liga, while conceding 43 goals in 38 league matches. These stats show that even though Bilbao continued to be strong at the back, they need to improve their attack to compete and put on a more sustained challenge for the top spots in the league.
The fans have not been treated to any arrivals in the transfer market, as Bilbao have not bought or sold anyone so far in this transfer window. The only additions to the squad have been in the form of youngsters who have returned from loan spell. This shows that Bilbao are trying their best to stay true to their policy of avoiding non-Basque players in the transfer player, as they look to promote youth players, with the player who has been touted to make an impact this season being right back Etxeberria after he returned from a loan spell from Valladolid.
The club has had a fairly decent preseason campaign in the past couple of months, as they faced various oppositions to regain match sharpness. They took part in 8 friendly matches, out of which, they won four matches, lost 2, and drew 2. In this duration, they scored a total of 13 goals, while conceding 7 goals. They also managed to keep an impressive 5 clean sheets in these 8 matches.
Centre back Yeray Alvarez is going to miss this match, as he continues his brave fight against Testicular cancer, where he seems to have got a victory for now, as doctors say he will be able to return to football in September. Along with the young Spanish defender, Ander Iturraspe will also miss this match due to a hamstring injury.
GETAFE
After being relegated in the 2015-16 season from La Liga to the second division, Getafe has shown incredible commitment and determination to jump back into the first division. They have done exactly the same, as they managed to finish third in the Segunda Division, and then overcome Tenerife by 3:2 aggregate score in the promotion playoffs. Getafe managed to score 55 goals in 42 league goals, which was the joint second highest in the league. They also had a decent defensive record, as they conceded 43 goals in the same duration, which set the base for their climb back to the La Liga.
Getafe will be trying their best to remain in the league for the next season, as they have strengthened their squad by bringing in many players so as to improve their depth and quality of the squad. They have signed Atletico Madrid striker Amath Ndiaye for 3 million, while also bringing in right back Djene from Sint Truddin for 2.5 million Euros. To boost the creativity of the team, they have invested in another three players in Dani Pacheco from Real Betis and Alvaro Jimenez from Real Madrid Castilla are both joining the team for 1 million each, while playmaker Francisco Portillo has joined the team for another 1.5 million Euros.
Getafe had a poor preseason, as they failed to win a single game out of the four friendly matches that they took part in. They lost two matches and drew two. Both their defeats were by the scoreline 2:1. They managed to score just 3 goals in these matches while conceding 5 goals and keeping just one clean sheet.
ATHLETIC BILBAO vs. GETAFE- Match Prediction:
Getafe did very well to strengthen their squad after a season of hard work to climb back to the top division. However, their new signings have not gelled in together, and hence, there has been a downgrade in performance levels. On the other hand, Athletic Bilbao, even though lacking new signings, had a decent preseason and has a good squad, which has both ample experience and talent. Therefore, my prediction will be a convincing home win in this match.
MY PICK: Athletic Bilbao AH -1 (-110)
BARCELONA vs. BETIS
Three-way: 1: Barcelona -357; X: Draw +710; 2: Real Betis +1650
Spread -2: Barcelona +104; Real Betis +102
Total +3.5: Over +114; Under -119
BARCELONA
The Catalan club isn’t having the best of times at present. Star player Neymar has left for PSG after repeated attempts of his teammates failed to convince him to stay; striker Luis Suarez is out for at least a month and they just lost the Super cup trophy to bitter rivals Real Madrid by 5:1 (Aggregate), by a humiliating performance where they were outrun and outperformed in every aspect.
They finished last season behind Zidane’s men by three points. Barca still managed to have the best attack in the La Liga, thanks largely to the now inexistent MSN that scored an astonishing 116 goals, while they conceded 37 goals, which was the least in the league. However, after winning only the Spanish cup in Luis Enrique’s last season, Barcelona will be hoping of getting a positive start under Ernesto Valverde in the opening round of the new La Liga season this weekend.
This transfer window has seen the Barca fans getting frustrated every now and then. First, they lost Neymar to PSG in a mega money deal. Then, they have struggled to sign their targets as the clubs refuse to sell; e.g.- Coutinho, who has even submitted a transfer request at Liverpool. However, they still have made a few additions to the squad. They have activated the Buyback clause in Gerard Deulofeu’s Everton contract, and brought him back for 12 million Euros, while they have added highly rated right back Nelson Semedo for 30.5 million, in hopes of finally filling the Dani Alves size hole in the defense. Their main signing had been Brazilian international Paulinho from Guangzhou Evergrande, for a massive sum of 40 million Euros, which has irked the fan base, as they see this move as a lack of ambition and failure in the transfer window by the club. However, the Brazilian is a really solid player on his day, and Barca can actually use someone of his attributes to add some steel to a midfield that has been dwindling in recent times.
The club took part in three friendlies in the preseason, out of which they won all three. They scored 6 goals while conceding 4 as they defeated Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Juventus. They also played the Joan Gamper trophy, as the invited Chapecoense to the Camp Nou, in what was an extremely emotional night for football as rivalries were put aside to pay homage to the victims of the tragic plane crash. Barcelona won that friendly by 5:0, although the scoreline was the last thing anyone would pay attention to on that night.
There are a number of injury concerns for the Catalans. Defenders Rafinha and Gerard Pique will both miss the match due to muscular tears. Fan favorite Andres Iniesta is also with Muscular problems, as Luis Suarez and Thomas Vermaelen both will be out of the squad with Knee Injuries.
BETIS
Betis just about managed to stay up in the league, after a very poor start to the league campaign last year, as they dropped to the relegation spots. However, an upturn in form after the turn of the year saw them garner just about enough points to stay up in the league, as they finished 15th in the Spanish La Liga. They were poor in attack and defense both, as they lacked cohesion throughout the season. They scored just 41 goals while conceding a massive 64 goals. If relegation is to be avoided, the team must improve these numbers.
They have been very active in the transfer window so that they can improve their squad to make it worthy of competing in the top flight. They have spent 7 million each on midfielder Victor Camarasa and Ryad Boudebouz, so as to add creativity in the center of the park. Joining them are Spanish attackers Cristian Tello and Sergio Leon, who were bought for 4 million and 3.5 million Euros respectively. To boost the defense of the squad, they have signed the center back Zouhair Feddal and midfielder Guardado for 2.5 million each.
The pre season campaign of Real Betis was a topsy-turvy one, as they got mixed results. Out of the 10 matches they played, they won four, drew two, and lost four. During this period, they scored just 9 goals, while conceding 12 goals. Such average stats again indicate the need for more solid and efficient playing style, the absence of which might prove costly for the team.
As compared to their opponents, Betis do not have many injury concerns. The only player who is in doubt of missing the match is new signing Cristian Tello, who is out with a damaged Muscle Fibre, and will not be available for selection in all likelihood.
BARCELONA vs. REAL BETIS – Match Prediction:
Almost every Barca fan would agree to the fact right now that the club is under a lean spell. Even defender Pique admitted that he currently feels they are inferior to Real Madrid. However, after a few days of disappointment, the fans can look forward to the league, as this match has a Barca win written all over it.
Still, Betis has enough players in their squad to cause the Barca defense some problems, although it won’t be enough to prevent them from grabbing the three points. Although the win for the home team should not come in question, I still believe that the visitors can score at least one goal, which is why I will go with both teams to score.
MY PICK: Both teams to score YES (+108)
