Friday saw the draw for the group stage of the Europa League take place in the lavish surroundings of Monaco. Over the last 15 European second-tier tournaments, Spanish top flight sides have dominated the competition winning nine of the fifteen finals. In fact, such has been the dominance of La Liga sides, that five of the last seven victors have hailed from Spain. This decade alone, Sevilla has won the tournament three times as have Atletico Madrid with Diego Simeone’s men the current defending champions. As another Europa League season reaches its group stage, we look at who the … [Read more...]
Who’s Playing Who in La Liga this Weekend?
Two games into the new Spanish season and the table looks much as we all expected it too. Real Madrid and Barcelona occupying first and second and then the rest. We all know it is far to early to read anything into a league table after just 180 minutes of action but we all like to anyway. So, with another actioned packed weekend ahead of us, we take a look at who’s playing who this weekend and look at who will win the weekend battles. Friday The action kicks off on Friday 31st with three games scheduled to play. Getafe host Valladolid in the 7pm kick off in a game that the … [Read more...]
Big Match Preview: Atletico Aim to Blind the Bats
Pre-season is over and if there is one thing we have learned in football, it is that talk is cheap, but players cost a fortune. As Atletico Madrid found out with a summer spending spree of over £110 million. However, it looks like money well spent with the first trophy of the season in the back pocket after Diego Simeone masterminded a European Super Cup triumph over bitter neighbours Real Madrid. Heading into the new La Liga season, there could an unexpected opportunity for Atletico Madrid to repeat their feat of 2013/14 by winning the league title. Real Madrid has already proven … [Read more...]
Bookies expect Barcelona to double-up with another La Liga title win
The summer carnival of football is over with France beating Croatia at the World Cup final in Moscow. It was a rather disappointing effort from the betting favourites though. Germany bowed out at the group stage, Brazil were eliminated in the quarterfinals and Spain topped Group B ahead of Portugal but lost to hosts Russia in the round of 16. Fans will be delighted to see the return of club football and the new La Liga season is fast approaching, the big kick-off scheduled for Friday 17th August. Major divisions are getting underway across Europe with the English top-tier out the starting … [Read more...]
Real Madrid on Red Alert after Willian Passport Fail
It is common knowledge that Real Madrid have money in the bank after the sale of Cristiano Ronaldo to Juventus a couple of weeks ago and it is common knowledge that Los Blancos have submitted a £100 million bid for Chelsea duo Thibaut Courtois and Willian. However, it has emerged that talks between Real and Chelsea shot-stopper Courtois have come to a standstill even though the Real Hierarchy insist they still want Courtois at the club. That has not stopped the interest in Willian and the rumour mill has gone into overdrive after the Times reported that Willian failed to turn up for … [Read more...]