The La Liga action returns to us after a two-week long international break and we will be having some interesting clashes to follow this weekend as Alaves visits Celta Vigo looking to kick start their season while Betis will go to Villarreal with a win in mind. We at Get More Sports have prepared an exclusive two match preview for our readers for these two exciting clashes.
CELTA VIGO vs. ALAVES
Three-way: 1: Celta Vigo -118; X: +290 Draw; 2: Alaves +450
Spread -0.5: Celta Vigo -125; Alaves +124
Total +2.5: Over +110; Under -115
CELTA VIGO
Celta fans will surely be disappointed after the first two matches of the current La Liga season. Even though they have shown good attacking play, they have failed to kill off games, as they have lost both their opening games. They have shown a particular weakness against defending set pieces, as they have been easily beaten in the air when the opponents have scored against them in both games played so far. The manager would be wary of the fact that the squad shouldn’t be too reliant on Maxi Gomez for the goals, something that happened last season with Iago Aaspas.
The end of the summer transfer window saw the Spanish side make a massive signing. They signed highly rated Turkish youngster Emre Mor from Borussia Dortmund for a sum of 11.7 million pounds. In a highly inflated market, signing the talented winger has the looks of a potential bargain. Apart from him, they have Maxi Gomez from Defensor for 3.6 million pounds, and he seems to have settled in pretty well as he has already scored three goals in the league. Joining him is Jozabed Sanchez from Fulham for 3 million pounds, along with midfielder Stanislav Lobotka from Nordsjaelland for 4.5 million Pounds.
Their last two matches would have been bitter pills to swallow for the fans, as it was clear to see in both the games that Celta have enough firepower to kill the game off, but their lapses in concentration meant that they weren’t able to confirm three points, and hence, ended up with defeats. The first match ended 3:2 against Real Sociedad at home, where they gave up their lead twice. This was followed by a defeat against Real Betis away, as they succumbed to a 2:1 loss. New manager Juan Carlos Unzue will surely be frustrated with the lack of clinical finishing showed by his team, as well as the weak defensive efforts especially during set pieces.
In terms of injuries and suspensions, the only major concern is Swedish striker John Guidetti, who will be out until the end of September due to a collarbone fracture.
ALAVES
After the strong performances last season in the La Liga, many expected Alaves to at least continue their strong style of play and grab results good enough to at least finish in mid-table. However, from the first two matches, they have failed to grab even a single point. They have also lost their defensive resilience, as opponents have found it far too easy to reach their goal. Moreover, they have not been able to convert the chances they have created so far, as was clear to see against the match against Barcelona. Even though they were able to reach the final third of the Barca side, they weren’t able to apply the finishing touch needed to put the ball in the back of the net.
The transfer window saw a lot of new arrivals in the Alaves squad, with most of them being 23 and below. They brought in centre back Rodrigo Ely from AC Milan and winger Burgui from Real Madrid for 2.7 million each, while Valencia keeper Antonio Sivera and Ruben Sobrino from Manchester City have both joined in deals worth 1.8 million pounds each. Joining them is Espanyol left back Duarte, who was bought for just 360k pounds. These deals show that Alaves are looking to bring in young, exciting talents who have the potential to have high resale value.
Their last match was a defeat against Barcelona at the Nou Camp. Although everyone expected Barcelona to have a comfortable one, the truth was that Alaves had more than one chance to bring some excitement into the game. However, with the poor finishing their players are currently showing, it was not to be, as Barca managed to keep a clean sheet and run out winners by 2:0. Prior to this, they lost their league opener to Leganes by 1:0. Alaves would surely hope that they are able to pull themselves up from these poor performances and go on a good run of results after the players return from the international break.
The manager will have to deal with a couple of injury trouble in defense for this clash. Centre back Victor Laguardia continues his recovery from a knee injury suffered in April and will be out until November in the very least. Left back Hector Hernandez is also a major doubt for this match after he suffered a Malleolar injury towards the end of August.
CELTA VIGO vs. ALAVES – Match Prediction:
Both the teams are short on confidence, as silly mistakes and lack of ruthlessness have cost them vital points in the first two matches of their respective La Liga campaigns. However, Celta has shown a good attacking intent, and are more than able to create chances for their star forward Maxi Rodriguez who is currently in very good form after three goals in his first two matches. Therefore, my prediction will be Celta Vigo win in this match.
MY PICK: Celta Vigo to win (-118)
VILLAREAL vs. BETIS
Three-way: 1: Villareal -105; X: +276 Draw; 2: Betis +362
Spread -0.5: Villareal -111; Betis +106
Total +2.5: Over +110; Under -115
VILLAREAL
After a really strong season last year, where the Yellow Submarines finished 5th in the La Liga, it was widely expected that Villareal would start the season on a positive note. However, that has been proven wrong, as they have failed to grab even one point from their first two league matches. For a team that conceded the second least goals last year, Villareal is struggling a lot in dealing with balls over the top and crosses, something that they handled pretty well last year. However, it is just the start of the new La Liga season, and they have more than enough time to get back on track, especially after a much-needed respite during the international break.
The fans are looking forward to the new season as the club has made some good signings in the transfer window this summer. They have added highly rated Turkish Centre forward Enes Unal from Manchester City and defender Ruben Semedo from sporting for 14 million Pounds each. Joining them is Malaga midfielder Pablo Fornals who has been signed for 12 million. Apart from these three, they have also signed keeper Andres Fernandez from Porto for 2 million, while bringing in Carlos Bacca on loan from AC Milan. These signings are yet to kick in together, which seems to be the reason why the team hasn’t been able to get results so far.
The first match in the La Liga saw Villareal hold out Levante for much of the match, only to lose out on a controversial 88th-minute penalty, as the final score was 1:0 in Levante’s favor. This was followed by a 3:0 humbling defeat against Real Sociedad, where Villareal’s struggle in dealing with flighted balls directed at the defense was clear to see. It seems that after the departure of Argentine defender Musacchio, Villareal has been devoid of a strong personality at the back who is able to organize the defense.
If one looks at the current injury list of the Yellow Submarines, they will probably have an idea why they are struggling so much. EIGHT players of the first team squad are currently out with injuries. Keepers Andres Fernandez and Sergio Asenjo both are with ACL Injuries, while Denis Cheryshev and veteran Daniele Bonera are out with muscular troubles. Joining them on the sidelines are midfielders Bruno Soriano and Roberto Soriano, along with left back Adrian Marin, who are all out due to leg injuries. Such thin squad is the reason that Villareal hasn’t been able to get good results so far, as they lack options to alter their game plan.
BETIS
After a poor La Liga campaign last year where Betis was stuck in the relegation battle for much of the season, the club was determined to see an upturn in performances. They started off by appointing a new manager, as Quique Setien was hired to oversee the club from this season on a 3-year contract. Betis have been performing better than last season, although there are still many weak points in their style of play, as was visible in the first match against Barcelona. However, with the season just starting, Betis should be able to continue their positives and work on the weak points in their gameplay.
The transfer window saw some really talented players join the Betis squad. Midfielders Victor Camarasa and Ryad Boudebouz have joined from Levante and Montpellier respectively for 7 million each. Former Barcelona prodigy Cristian Tello has left the Catalan club and has come to Betis in a deal worth 4 million, along with Osasuna forward Sergio Leon who has been signed for 3.5 million. However, Betis have made two really good bargain deals in Andres Guardado from PSV and Javi Garcia from Zenit, as they got two experienced players for just 4 million pounds, which looks like peanuts compared to the fees paid in the current transfer market.
The first La Liga match of the season for Betis was a defeat against Barcelona by 2:0 at the Camp Nou. However, the score line paints a different story. Messi struck the woodwork thrice in the match, and if there was a little more accuracy in those shots, that match could have very well ended in a rout. However, the team did well to lift themselves up and put in a fighting display to grab all the three points in a win against Celta Vigo, as they fought back from a goal down to end up 2:1 winners. Such positive approach after a defeat will surely lift up spirits in the training camp.
There aren’t many injury concerns for Betis currently. Playmaker Ryad Boudebouz injured his knee before the start of the season and hasn’t trained since then, while on loan winger Joel Campbell is also recovering from a knee operation, and hence will miss the match.
VILLARREAL vs. BETIS – Match prediction:
If this match took place last season, there would be no doubts as to who would be the winner, such was Villarreal’s form. However, this year, they have started out poorly and have fewer points than Betis. Still, it can be said that the Villarreal will be riding on the home support to get a win, which might be important as the new signings need to feel settled in to really get going. This match promises to be a close encounter, but the Yellow Submarines will just edge this out. Therefore, my prediction will be a home win for Villareal.
MY PICK: Villareal to win (-105)
