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...]
The 4 Games You Won’t Want to Miss this Weekend
The La Liga table has an unusual feel to it with Sevilla sitting at the top of the pile and Alaves in fourth spot. But, will they still be there come the end of weekend or will it be normality resumed? We take a look to see who’s playing who and pick out the best games you won’t want to miss. Alaves v Sevilla We may as well start at the top as fourth plays first in the most unusual top of the table clash. Alaves have been in sublime form this season but did lose to Leganes last Friday meaning perhaps momentum is dwindling. This is a contest Sevilla would normally look at as a … [Read more...]
La Liga Sides Look to Continue Europa Dominance
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...]
La Liga Final Weekend Breakdown: Whats Left to Play for in the Top 10?
The English Premier League came to an undramatic close last weekend and this weekend it is the turn of Spain’s top flight to close its doors on what has been a season that has seen giants fall, minnows rise, and Barcelona come agonisingly close to an unbeaten season. With just one round of fixtures left, we take a look at what is left to play for between the clubs currently in the top ten. Barcelona – 90 pts Absolutely nothing, especially after suffering that shock 5-4 defeat to Levante last time out, it means the chance to go through the season unbeaten is no more. However, with … [Read more...]
Manager of the Season: Our Contenders
The 2017/18 La Liga season has just four games left for a majority of the sides and for some, the campaign has been an overwhelming success no matter what happens in the remaining games whilst for others, it has been a disaster. However, as we like to focus on the positive side of the game, we thought what better time than now to check out who deserves a shot at the manager of the season accolade after nine months of hard work. Ernesto Valverde – Barcelona We may as well start at the top and you simply cannot exclude the man who wins the league title. Granted, the league title is … [Read more...]
The Rise of the Underdog: Girona, Real Betis, Getafe
This season, many people have been getting carried away by Barcelona’s dominance at the top of the table and Real Madrid’s domestic troubles. But the real story of the season still lies in the upper reaches of the division, just not with teams one may have expected. Girona, Real Betis and Getafe find themselves seventh, eighth and ninth respectively and above the likes of Athletic Bilbao, Real Sociedad, and Espanyol. Remarkably, newly promoted Girona find themselves just two points behind Sevilla and chasing down the unlikeliest of European places for next season. This has opened … [Read more...]
What Happened to Cristian Tello? The Man Expected to Carry Barcelona
When Cristian Tello broke into the Barcelona first team during the 2011/12 season it looked like the man who was part of Spain’s under-21 squad that won the 2013 European Championships would carry the Blaugrana forward line for the next decade. Everything certainly started well after scoring a brace in the 9-0 hammering of CE L'Hospitalet in the Copa Del Rey and then later scoring in his first league start against Real Sociedad in early February 2012. This begs the question, why (with so much positivity surrounding the Spaniard's early career) are we not raving about Tello’s achievements … [Read more...]
La Liga Club To Sign Ex-Spurs Midfielder?
La Liga club Real Betis are reportedly in talks with Paris Saint-Germain over a deal for their former Spurs midfielder Benjamin Stambouli. Stambouli struggled to make an impact in Ligue 1 last season and the arrival of new coach Unai Emery, who has signed Grzegorz Krychowiak from his old club Sevilla, has seen Stambouli slide down the pecking order. However, Stambouli was a surprise selection for PSG's 4-1 Trophee des Champions victory against Lyon at the weekend, excelling alongside Thiago Motta at the base of the midfield. According to a report by L'Equipe, negotiations are ongoing … [Read more...]
Liverpool Set to Sign Spanish Youngster from Betis
Liverpool have completed some excellent deals pretty early in this summer’s transfer window and now they are looking to the future as they are all set to complete the signing of 21-year-old Real Betis youngster Dani Ceballos according to the Express. … [Read more...]
Zaragoza close in on La Liga with first leg victory over Las Palmas
Real Zaragoza went one step closer to a return to La Liga as they came from behind to win the first leg of the play-off final last night. Goals from Diego Rico, Pedro Sanchez and Willian Jose gave them a 3-1 win over Las Palmas with the return leg to be played on Sunday. Fresh from a dramatic 10 days in the Segunda, Zaragoza found themselves 1-0 down at La Romareda courtesy of a strike from ex-Valencia man Jonathan Viera. However, having come from 3-0 down against Girona in the first leg of the semi-finals, Zaragoza roared back and ensured that they will travel to Gran Canaria with the … [Read more...]