At 32 years old, Javi Fuego is the oldest player in the Valencia squad, the youngest and most inexperienced squad in La Liga. At the end of the 2013-14 season, when some players chose to leave – Juan Bernat, Jérémy Mathieu – and others were told to leave – Ricardo Costa – Javi Fuego remained with the side. … [Read more...]
Real Madrid Probable Lineup vs AS Roma: Danilo and Isco to start
Venue: Stadio Olimpico, Rome Date: 17/02/2016 Kick-off: 07:45 PM GMT / 2:45 PM EST Goalkeeper Keylor Navas has been in great form for Real Madrid recently and although he did concede two against Athletic, it was a solid performance from the Costa Rican once again. Now with a clash against Roma up next, Navas will undoubtedly have to be at his best and one can expect the 29-year old to be busy at the Stadio Olimpico on the night. Defence Raphael Varane and Sergio Ramos look certainties to be starting in central defence for the clash while Dani Carvajal should occupy his place in the right … [Read more...]
Roma vs Real Madrid: Preview, Predicted Lineups and Prediction
Venue: Stadio Olimpico, Rome Date: 17/02/2016 Kick-off: 07:45 PM GMT / 2:45 PM EST Match Roma News Roma have enjoyed a wonderful turnaround in fortunes following the appointment of Luciano Spaletti as manager and the Italian giants are currently on a four match winning streak after defeating Carpi 3-1 last time out. Now Roma prepare for a clash against Real Madrid in the Round of 16 Champions League encounter on Wednesday night and one can be sure that Spaletti’s men will have to perform extremely well in order to be able to claim a good result in the first leg. Injury Doubts: Ezequiel Ponce, … [Read more...]
Barcelona Probable Lineup vs Sporting Gijon: Turan and Rakitic to start
Venue: Estadio Municipal El Molinón, Gijon Date: 17/02/2016 Kick-off: 05:30 PM GMT / 12:30 PM EST Match Goalkeeper Claudio Bravo did not have much to do during the 6-1 victory over Celta Vigo last time out but he did concede through a John Guidetti penalty. As a result, Bravo will be intent on keeping a clean sheet against Sporting Gijon this time around but it will not be as straightforward as people think due to the fact that the minnows have been showing a bit of attacking flair in recent time. Defence The Barcelona defence consisting of Jordi Alva, Javier Mascherano, Gerard Pique and … [Read more...]
Sporting Gijon vs Barcelona: Preview, Predicted Lineups and Prediction
Venue: Estadio Municipal El Molinón, Gijon Date: 17/02/2016 Kick-off: 05:30 PM GMT / 12:30 PM EST Match Sporting Gijon News After looking doomed and gloomed earlier on in the season, Sporting Gijon have managed to give themselves a great chance of avoiding the drop following a run of four matches without a single defeat in La Liga. The run has certainly given Gijon a lot of confidence but things remain very tight at the bottom of the Premier League table and manager Abelardo will not be allowing his players to get complacent anytime soon. Now Sporting prepare for a huge test when they … [Read more...]
Valencia v Barcelona: Reasons to be Optimistic (at least, a little)
It looked like a pre-season friendly, a game of little or no relevance, with both coaches opting to rest most of their senior players and give their second-tier players some game time. But, as a Valencia supporter I have to admit that the return leg of the Valencia v Barca cup tie was far more interesting and entertaining than I had expected. No, los che didn’t win, and certainly should have. But the game had a number of positives, and in this season, the worst I can remember, we have to seize the positives whenever they appear. … [Read more...]
Will there be any twists in La Liga this season?
With the final leg of the season fast approaching, it’s time to consider whether La Liga fans will witness any shock upsets or whether it will just be business as usual in the Spanish top division? Can anyone knock the mighty Barcelona off the top? Can Gary Neville salvage anything from the wreckage at Valencia? Or are they doomed to go down? The top Looking at the league table, it seems difficult to imagine anyone overtaking Barcelona in the title run-in. They are in incredible form and have recently broken another club record. The team are unbeaten in 29 games across all competitions … [Read more...]
Probable Barcelona Lineup vs Celta Vigo: Messi likely to miss out
Venue: Nou Camp, Barcelona Date: 14/02/2016 Kick-off: 08:00 PM GMT / 03:00 PM EST (4-3-3) Goalkeeper Claudio Bravo made a couple of good saves in the clash against Levante last time out and his contribution certainly proved to be very important in helping Barcelona to the three points following a sub standard performance from the team. Now Bravo will be up against the dangerous Celta Vigo attack and the Chilean superstar will most certainly have to be at his best to keep another clean sheet on the night. Defence The likes of Jordi Alba, Gerard Pique, Javier Mascherano and Dani Alves were … [Read more...]
Barcelona vs Celta Vigo: Preview, Predicted Lineups and Prediction
Venue: Nou Camp, Barcelona Date: 14/02/2016 Kick-off: 08:00 PM GMT / 03:00 PM EST Match Barcelona News Barcelona safely sealed their place into the final of the Copa Del Rey with a comfortable 1-1 draw against Valencia at the Mestalla on Wednesday night and manager Luis Enrique would have been pleased with the result as he had fielded basically his second string team on the night. Now Enrique is sure to revert back to his strongest side as a dangerous Celta Vigo pay a visit to the Nou Camp on Sunday night and it will be of paramount importance for the Catalans to continue their winning run in … [Read more...]
Real Madrid Probable Lineup vs Athletic Club: Bale, Pepe, Danilo and Marcelo missing
Venue: Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid Date: 13/02/2016 Kick-off: 03:00 PM GMT / 10:00 AM EST Goalkeeper While Luka Modric earned all the plaudits for Real Madrid’s hard fought 2-1 victory over Granada last weekend, it would be unfair not to acknowledge the role of goalkeeper Keylor Navas in the triumph. The Costa Rican made numerous key saves throughout the course of the match and he will surely have to play a big role once again if Madrid are to claim a victory against Athletic this weekend. Defence Real Madrid have been rocked by the news that Marcelo has dislocated his shoulder and the … [Read more...]