The La Liga season will finally get under way this weekend after an agreement was reached between the Spanish football league and the players’ union over unpaid wages which saw the original planned start to the La Liga season delayed. With plenty of highly-anticipated matches to get our teeth into including an Andalucian derby between Seville and Malaga, here's our previews and predictions to the weekend's matches. … [Read more...]
What the Champions League Draw Served Up For the Spanish Sides
Valencia, Villarreal, Real Madrid and Barcelona all awaited the Champions League Group Stage draw eagerly today as the coverage unfolded as smoothly as ever in Monaco. As ever, a predictable pause ensued as last year's tournament was articulately recapped in a montage of highlights and commentary. It proved a mouthwatering supplement to this year's competition as much as it wasted time for equally keen viewers. … [Read more...]
La Liga Transfer Latest
The Copa Libertadores may have halted proceedings slightly in the Spanish transfer market but there is still plenty to discuss in the run up to the start of the new La Liga season. In this feature, La Liga Blog scours online Spanish football site Marca and analyses the pick of this week’s transfer news and gossip. … [Read more...]
Barcelona to face Port Vale in pre-season friendly
The youngsters of English League Two outfit Port Vale will have a dream opportunity to pit their wits against the likes of Lionel Messi, David Villa and Andreas Iniesta when they face Barcelona in a pre-season friendly this July. The lucrative friendly was secured by Port Vale when Pepe Guardiola's Barcelona needed a place to train before an upcoming friendly tournament with Manchester United. … [Read more...]
Barcelona 3-1 Arsenal
Arsenal's Champions League dream is well and truely over after they crashed out the competition suffering a 3-1 defeat against Barcelona at the Nou Camp this evening. Despite a stern defensive display from Arsenal the hosts atypically controlled proceedings throughout the tie and eventually took the lead on half-time when Lionel Messi latched onto a Cesc Fabregas error and provided a neat finish flicking the ball over Arsenal Keeper Fabianski and volleying home from close-range. … [Read more...]
Blackpool v Chelsea Preview
Blackpool will be looking for a result to help their Premier League survival bid as they take on current title holders Chelsea at Bloomfield Road this evening. The last time these two sides met in September Chelsea were resounding 4-0 winners at Stamford Bridge but the Seasiders can still remain optimisitc having claimed notable victories over other Premier League titans including Liverpool and Spurs. Ian Holloway's men will have to make do without the services of Charlie Adam and DJ Campbell (both suspended) whilst new Brazilian defender David Luiz looks unlikely to make an appearance … [Read more...]
Liverpool 3-1 Manchester United
Dirk Kuyt was the hero for Liverpool as he bagged a stunning hat-trick in a momentus 3-1 victory over Manchester United at Anfield today. United suffered their third defeat of the season and with less than ten games still to play, the title race has well and truely been blown wide open. In a game between two fierce rivals, Liverpool made their presence known from the very start and in the 34th minute they were rewarded for their persistence when new signing Luis Suarez glided past three United defenders and tee'd up Kuyt to score into an empty net. United midfielder Nani produced some … [Read more...]
Bolton Wanderers 3-2 Aston Villa
A late Ivan Klasnic goal sealed victory in a thrilling encounter between Bolton Wanderers and Aston Villa at the Reebok Stadium this afternoon. The visitors Villa originally took the lead when £24 million-rated striker Darren Bent was put through on goal by Ashley Young and the centre forward made no mistake with the finish when he poked home his third Villa goal of the season past the reach of Jussi Jaaskelainen. It was ex-Villa defender Gary Cahill who came back to haunt his side however when he headed an equaliser right on the stroke of half-time against his old club to put Bolton … [Read more...]
Arsenal 0-0 Sunderland
Arsenal were held at home to a frustrating goal-less draw against Sunderland this afternoon and missed the chance to close the gap to just one point behind league leaders Manchester United. Despite a countless number of chances in front of goal the Gunners were unable to take advantage and net a winner thanks to Sunderland keeper Simon Mignolet who pulled off a myriad of classy saves this afternoon to keep the Arsenal attackers at bay. The Belgian shot-stopper denied the home side's best chance of the game late on when Samir Nasri curled in a pin-point free-kick that looked goal-bound only … [Read more...]
Bolton v Aston Villa Preview
It's Coyle v Houllier as Bolton Wanderers take on Aston Villa at the Reebok Stadium this afternoon. With just a third of the season left to contest both sides will be looking for a valuable three points for different reasons. Villa who have massively underachieved this campaign, will welcome a win to help put to bed any danger of an unexpected relegation fight whilst Bolton who sit in 7th place in the Premier League have European football well and truely in their sights. Both Bolton and Villa will have an array of attacking talent on display this afternoon with in-form striker Daniel … [Read more...]