Christmas is over and now we all look to fresh beginnings with a new year upon us. Amongst the twenty La Liga clubs, some will look back at 2019 with a smile whilst some will be glad to see the back of it. However, they don’t have long to reflect as they are straight back into action on the weekend with three games in particular set to steal the show. Espanyol v Barcelona It’s top versus bottom in a crucial game for both. However, throw in the fact that this is a derby and the stakes are ramped up further. Barca occupy top spot but only by two-points from their great rivals Real … [Read more...]
Is Espanyol’s 26-Year La Liga Spell About to End?
To the casual follower of Spanish football, it may be easy to forget that there is another team occupying the city of Barcelona. Throughout its 119-year history, Espanyol have played second fiddle to the giants of the Camp Nou in Barcelona with the club never able to shake the underdog tag. However, there have been successes for the side affectionately known as the Budgerigars with four Copa Del Rey victories and twice UEFA Cup runners up. Of course, that success is dwarfed by Barcelona’s, but Espanyol have for a long time been a valuable member of Spain’s top-flight – However, if … [Read more...]
Who will be La Liga’s surprise package next season?
Whatever happens from now, Getafe will have had a season to celebrate and are all but assured of contesting some form of European football in 2019/20. When they confirm it, it will be only the third European campaign the club have embarked on and the first since the 2010/11 season. The deep blues have been on an upward curve since promotion from the Segunda division in 2017 and finished eighth last year in their first season back in the top flight. That makes José Bordalás’ side well worth a close look at in the betting markets for next season and making sure you get the … [Read more...]
La Liga Final Weekend Breakdown Part Two: 11th – 20th
In our previous article, we decided to take a look at what the sides in Spain’s top 10 have left to play as the season enters its final round of fixtures. Now, we take a look at what the sides in the bottom half of the table can still achieve heading into the final weekend of a thrilling season. Girona – 48 pts Just avoiding the drop has earned tiny Girona many plaudits but they still have the ability to finish inside the top ten in their debut top-flight season. However, defeat to Las Palmas on Saturday could see them slip to fifteenth but no matter happens, the season has been an … [Read more...]
PSG v Real Madrid – All Still to Play for in the French Capital
Eighty minutes in and it looked like PSG were going to come away from the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium with the perfect score draw and thus putting the balance power in the hands of Paris. However, Ronaldo and Marcelo had other ideas and late strikes by the pair gives the defending European title holders a heavy advantage as they head to the Parc des Princes for a critical last sixteen-second leg tie. But do not think for a second that it is game over. If Real have proved anything this season, it is that they have the capability to implode as witnessed once again at the weekend when they … [Read more...]
Espanyol vs Barcelona: Preview, Predicted Lineups and Prediction
Venue: Power8 Stadium, Barcelona Date: 01/13/2016 Kick-off: 8:00 PM GMT / 03:00 PM EST Television coverage: LaLigaTVCOPA (UK), beIN Sports USA, beIN Sports en Español, beIN SPORTS CONNECT U.S.A. (USA) Online Streaming: fuboTV (USA), Sky Go (UK) Match Espanyol News Espanyol suffered a 4-1 defeat at the hands of Barcelona in the first leg of the Copa Del Rey Round of 16 clash last Thursday and the three goal deficit means that not many feel Constantin Galca’s men stand a chance of progressing into the next round heading into the second leg. Nonetheless, Galca would want his players to deliver a … [Read more...]
Probable Barcelona Lineup vs Espanyol – Alba, Pique and Iniesta reinstated
Venue: Estadi Cornellà-El Prat Date: 02/01/2016 Kick-off: 3:00 PM GMT / 10:00 AM EST Television coverage: beIN Sports en Español, beIN Sports USA Online Streaming: fuboTV (USA), Sky Go (UK) The Strongest Possible Lineup for Barcelona against Espanyol Formation - 4-3-3 Goalkeeper Claudio Bravo had very little to do during the clash against Real Betis and the Chilean would most certainly have been pleased to have claimed a clean sheet on the day. Bravo can now be expected to be a lot busier for the clash against Espanyol though and a very good performance will be required once again from the … [Read more...]
Espanyol vs Barcelona: Preview, Predicted Lineups and Prediction
Venue: Estadi Cornellà-El Prat Date: 02/01/2016 Kick-off: 3:00 PM GMT / 10:00 AM EST Television coverage: beIN Sports en Español, beIN Sports USA Online Streaming: fuboTV (USA), Sky Go (UK) Match Espanyol News Espanyol’s winning run was brought to a halt following a 2-0 defeat against Sevilla on Wednesday but nonetheless, the Catalan side are currently occupying a healthy position in the La Liga table at the moment. Constantin Galca’s men now prepare for a clash against rivals Barcelona in the Derbi Barceloní on Saturday and the Romanian manager will be hopeful that his side can bank on their … [Read more...]
Ones to Watch in La Liga – Cordoba to Espanyol
Continuing the round-up of players to watch this season, we now feature a couple of players looking to impress whilst on loan, and three clubs having come up from the Segunda. Cordoba An astonishing piece of business was done to bring Valencia starlet Fede Cartabia to the newly promoted club during the close season. The 21-year-old Argentine was tipped to have a better season for Los Che in 2014/15 after fans expected more from the youngster in his debut campaign. However, the bewildering decision to let the youngster continue his development in a team widely tipped to struggle this season … [Read more...]
Espanyol 1-0 Granada
Espanyol were reduced to ten men, but still managed a 1-0 victory over Granada at the Cornella-El Prat stadium last night. Espanyol are an enigmatic team this season. Their defence is solid, but they just don't score enough goals. In an unusually tight Primera Division, they must have been looking over their shoulders. Friday's three points lifts them up to 8th place. Javier Aguirre will be sleeping sounder at night from now on. Things didn't start well for the Barcelona side. Defender Victor Alvarez was dismissed after half an hour for a reckless challenge on Granada striker El-Arabi. … [Read more...]