We return to the excitement of league action after a breath of fresh air with the European matches in the midweek. In this preview, we will be covering two La Liga matches: Alaves welcome Villarreal with the hopes that they are able to grab their first points of the season, while Real Sociedad play hosts to champions Real Madrid, as we are in for an expansive attacking matchup between these two teams
ALAVES vs. VILLARREAL
Three-way: 1: Alaves +225; X: +233 Draw; 2: Villareal +165
Spread 0: Alaves +127; Villareal -125
Total +2: Over -125; Under +120
ALAVES
Last season was a happy campaign for the team and the fans, as Alaves had a respectable top half finish just after getting promoted to the top division. However, they have started the current La Liga campaign in a poor manner, losing all three of their league matches, which has made them early favorites for relegation come the end of the season. But to be honest, Alaves haven’t been playing badly. They have shown good passing and team play, and have created chances. It is just that the ruthlessness in front of goal is missing and the defense doesn’t look well organized, something that the manager will be hoping to address soon.
They have lost all three of their opening La Liga games till now. Interestingly, they played the same three clubs towards the end of last season, where they got four points in three matches. in the current three league matches, they have lost all the games without even scoring a goal, which shows how badly their lack of ruthlessness in front of goal is costing them. They have had their fair share of luck also, as their goalkeeper and the woodwork has rescued Alaves from getting embarrassed and keeping it to just 4 goals conceded in three matches.
Their last home match was against Barcelona. Lionel Messi struck the woodwork three times, before finally finding the net, as he led the Catalans towards a 0:2 victory over Alaves. This match was followed by an away defeat against Celta Vigo, where the Bojan’s movement created a lot of chances, but he was unable to convert them, partly due to late releasing of the ball and partly due to some fantastic goalkeeping. Manager Zubeldia will be hoping that his players are able to pick themselves up before this weekend and start collecting points.
Apart from the problems in gathering results, Alaves also have a couple of defenders on the injury table. Centre back Victor Laguardia will not be back before December as he recovers from a knee injury, while left-back Hector Hernandez is out with a Malleolar Injury.
VILLARREAL
After last season’s strong performance, which resulted in the club finishing in the top five of the league table, expectations were always going to be high. But truth be told, they have struggled to get their campaign underway in the league. They seem to miss the calming and authoritative influence of Argentine defender Musachhio, who joined the AC Milan revolution this year. However, the season has just started, and they have shown enough signs to indicate towards the fact that they will eventually hit their stride and go for the Top 7 in the La Liga.
They have taken their time to grab their first points of the current league campaign, with their first three points coming not before the third match. They won at home against Real Betis with the final score being 3:1. This match was followed by their first Europa League group stage match against Astana, which they won comfortably by 3:1. These two matches indicate that Villarreal is more than capable when it comes to putting the ball into the back of the net, although they tend to ship goals in matches they are winning.
Before the third league game, they lost both the La Liga matches. In total, they have conceded 5 goals in three league matches, while scoring 3, that too in just one match. Although the performance against Eibar showed positives, Villarreal still needs to brush up their defensive organization as they are prone to lapses at the back.
Summer signings Carlos Bacca and Enes Unal have both scored one goal each, along with winger Samu Castillejo, in the match against Real Betis. Midfield signing Pablo Fornals has shown promising signs, as he has also assisted one goal, along with defender Alvaro Gonzalez.
They have a rather long injury list, as Roberto and Bruno Soriano are both out with knee and leg injuries respectively, while both the keepers Asenjo and Fernandez will remain out for some time thanks to their ACL ruptures.
ALAVES vs. VILLARREAL – Match Prediction:
Alaves is currently in a rut, and judging by their lack of finishing ability, they won’t be out of it anytime soon. On the other hand, Villarreal seems to have found their groove back, and are looking more like the team that won many fans last year with their strong performances. So looking at the current stats and players, my prediction will be an away win for Villareal.
MY PICK: Villarreal to win (+165)
REAL SOCIEDAD vs. REAL MADRID
Three-way: 1: Real Sociedad +400; X: +345 Draw; 2: Real Madrid -120
Spread +0.5: Real Sociedad +124; Real Madrid -130
Total +3: Over -133; Under +124
REAL SOCIEDAD
Last season’s top seven finish in La Liga seems to have created a domino effect on the team, as the players look motivated than ever to win every match and put in accomplished performances. They can still improve on the defensive aspect of their game, as they have shown that they can be subject to occasional lapses in concentration, but they have also shown equal attacking menace in the league so far, as their incisive attacking play, led by the talented Willian Jose has knocked on the opposition goal time and again.
They have started the season in imperious form for a team that has been tipped by most to finish in the top half by a small margin. They have won all three of their league games while scoring a massive 10 goals in just three La Liga matches. Their defense can still improve, as they have kept only one clean sheet, and conceded four goals. However, as long as they are able to outscore their opponents, I don’t think they will worry much about conceding a goal or two in a match.
Their last match was the Europa League group stage match against Rosenborg, which they easily won by 4:0 at home, which further proved their credentials for the season. Before this match, they visited Deportivo in the league and ran out eventual 2:4 winners. This match was a clear example that Sociedad relies on its attacking football to outscore opponents and grab all the three points.
Their forwards have really started the season in terrific fashion, as both Juanmi and Willian Jose have struck the ball into the net thrice and twice respectively in the three matches they have played together in. Assier Illarramendi has added a new dimension to his midfield play, as he has also chipped in with a couple of goals. Playmaker Xabi Prieto has created two goals while scoring another. These players show how well organized Sociedad are when it comes to attacking efficiency.
However, there are a few injury concerns in the team, as the first-team defenders are major doubts for the match this weekend. Carlos Martinez is almost ready to make his first team return after damaging his ACL in December, while centre back duo Raul Navas and Inigo Martinez are both out with leg injuries.
REAL MADRID
After their league and UCL double, the sky was the limit for this Real Madrid squad. After a wobbly preseason, there were many doubts regarding their capabilities for the competitive season. But Zidane being Zidane, quickly motivated his players to get their performances on track, which was immediately implemented as they defeated Manchester United in the UEFA Super Cup, followed by the thrashing of bitter rivals Barcelona in the Spanish Super cup. However, their La Liga title has not gone as well as the fans were hoping, as they have dropped points in two of their first three matches. Still, this is a long way away from any crisis, and Zizou has enough experience to motivate his players for the fixtures ahead.
They started their competitive La Liga season relatively early due to their participation in the Super cups. It must be noted that, even though they have dropped points, they are still unbeaten since the start of the season, with their record over the last six games being 4-2-0. During these six games, they have scored an impressive 14 goals. Their defense has not been poor, but has still conceded some avoidable goals. They have kept three clean sheets during this run, and conceded 14 goals.
Their last match was a breath of fresh air from the league campaign, as they played their first group stage match against minnows APOEL. Cristiano Ronaldo returned to the starting lineup and showed his class with a well taken brace as they won 3:0 at the Bernabeu. This match was after they failed to convert their numerous chances against Levante in the league, which led to a 1:1 draw at home.
Spanish prodigy Marco Asensio has made a good start to the La Liga campaign, as he followed his goals against Barcelona in the Super cup with two strikes against Valencia which was the reason that Los Blancos were able to come away with a draw. Welsh forward Gareth Bale has been doing his bit as he has provided an assist and a goal in three appearances in the league so far. The squad will surely be boosted by the return of star forward Ronaldo, as he almost brings a guarantee of goals with him on the field.
Coratian youngster Mateo Kovacic injured himself in the champions league as he limped off the field in the first half, and will be out till at least November. Joining him on the sidelines is French striker Karim Benzema who is out with a torn Hamstring.
REAL SOCIEDAD vs. REAL MADRID- Match Prediction
Real Sociedad has been in very good form of late, and looks more than able to take on the current champions of La Liga. Real Madrid is definitely a talented squad, but they have struggled with the absence of Ronaldo as their finishing has suffered without their Portuguese talisman. He will be back for this game, and should give a big boost to the morale of the players and their manager. Sociedad will be feeling that there is no better time to face the Los Blancos then now, although they will have to work extra hard to match their prestigious opponents. This will be a really exciting contest, and my prediction will be an away win for Real Madrid, with both sides scoring at least one goal each, which should result in the over.
MY PICK: Real Madrid to win (-120)
Additional Pick: Over 3 goals (-133)
