As we approach August, the excitement begins to build once again as another season of La Liga action is set to kick off in a matter of weeks. There has been plenty of entertainment off the field this summer, so how has this affected the betting markets, and are there any little gems to be looking out for? Outright Winner Picking the La Liga title winner leaves you with only three realistic options and the bookmakers reflect this. Adding one of Real Madrid, Barcelona or Atletico Madrid to your bet slip makes complete sense, however, with numerous betting options available, having … [Read more...]
The Fight for Survival in La Liga
Almeria, Eibar, Granada and Deportivo La Coruna head into the final day of the La Liga season knowing that they need a result to avoid relegation back to the Segunda Division. Two of those teams will be going down, with just two points separating them and head-to-head records making matters even more interesting. Deportivo face the toughest task and will be reliant on the other teams below them not picking up results. They have to travel away to the Nou Camp to face a Barcelona side ready to pick up the title. However, with Depor requiring a result and Barca players wary of picking up … [Read more...]
Derby defeat for Betis may push Mel closer to the edge
"I don't know if my players are good or if my players are bad, all I know is that they are my players and I have to pick them up” said a dejected Pepe Mel after he had watched his Real Betis side dismantled against Sevilla. He had just had to watch Sevilla's indulge in the 4-0 thrashing with their fans who chanted "Let Pepe Mel jump” around the Sanchez Pijuan and the 2.1 mile journey back to the Villamarin would have felt like the longest of journeys as, in another fact Sevilla's faithful were quick to point out, Betis were heading to the Segunda. … [Read more...]
Can all three promoted sides remain in La Liga this season?
As the new La Liga season cools off after a rip-roaring opening matchday we have been able to witness many similarities and differences likely to feature more predominantly as the season progresses. Whilst Barcelona continued to pulverise the life out of teams bordering below the European qualification line like a well oiled machine even under new management our attention turned to another team shorn of a personality or two. It seemed as if Bilbao had gone away with their buccaneering European dynasty fable of last year and instead endured a tumultuous summer more reminiscent of a game of … [Read more...]
Betis Season Preview
Returning to La Liga following promotion in 2010/11, Betis' season of consolidation was about as much as could have been asked of them. A whirlwind start of five wins from their first five games triggered fans to dream and took them to the summit of the league, but inevitably it wasn't to last. A run of six straight defeats then followed until their results became more sporadic and Betis hovered above the relegation zone for a while. Avoiding the drop back down to the Segunda straight away was the first objective outlined at the start of the season and it was duly achieved as the Andalucian … [Read more...]
Zaragoza Season Preview
Of the names to have left La Romareda fans of Los Blanquillos have reasons to be both delighted and dismayed at two people who have committed to staying at Zaragoza for next season. Detested President Agapito Iglesias has refused to sell and leave the club having piled debt onto the exasperated balance sheets and made no real attempt to rid them. Thankfully however he brought in manager Manolo Jiminez who steered the club to La Liga safety in spite of the appalling circumstances and has decided to remain and avoid relegation once again. … [Read more...]
Real Valladolid Season Preview
If I were awarded the opportunity to christen the new La Liga season (what a noble honour) I feel that it would only be apt to name it 'David' after the famous underdog who slayed the mighty Goliath from the popular Bible myth. Consequently we could witness the terribly predictable hierarchical structure of the Spanish game collapse and succumb to even the tiniest of challengers (yes I'm talking about Rayo Vallecano) and a beautiful revolution would begin! Alas it appears unlikely even in Spain's capricious Premier division where up to amongst eight or nine rivals contest the title (ha!). … [Read more...]