Barcelona’s bid for domestic dominance could be completed on Saturday but first, they will have to overcome a plucky Valencia side seeking their first piece of silverware since winning this very competition in 2008. So, how did both sides The route to the final Barcelona 5 cultural y deportiva leonesa 1 - (all results given as aggregate totals) The Spanish giants were paired with Segunda B division side cultural y deportiva leonesa for their opening exploits in the competition. Ernesto Valverde’s side breezed through two-legged affair 5-1 on aggregate to get their defence … [Read more...]
Can Valencia Break Their Barca Hoodoo?
Seven games have passed since Valencia last recorded a victory over Barcelona. For most sides, that is hardly a disastrous record, but for a team of Valencia’s overall calibre and desire, that is a disappointment. The Bats have a rich history in Spain’s top flight with six titles to their name, however betting sites currently back Valencia as having more chance of relegation than lifting the coveted title for a seventh time. Even just to record a victory over Barcelona at the Camp Nou like they last did in April 2016 are as long as 8/1. That is probably because trawling through … [Read more...]
Just what is going wrong at Valencia……..Again?
This season Valencia Club de Fútbol is currently enjoying their 99th year of existence and after the revival of last season in which the club once again qualified for the Champions League, much excitement was set in place ahead of this campaign. However, twelve games in, it is safe to say it has not gone to plan for manager Marcelino and many sportsbooks such as www.novibet.co.uk may well start offering some serious value on the former Sevilla leaving his post sooner rather than later if he cannot repeat last season’s top four. After all, Valencia firmly believe themselves to be one of … [Read more...]
Weekend Round Up: Anyone’s for the Taking
If this weekend of La Liga action has taught us anything, it is that anyone can beat anyone, and the title race may be in its infancy, but already it is anyone's for the taking. After all, who would have predicted that in both Barcelona’s and Real Madrid’s last two league games (including this weekends) both sides would only take one point from a possible six? Or that newly promoted Valladolid would provide an early season hammer blow to Villarreal? Well, that is exactly what has happened as we take a look back at the action of week seven so far. Big Boys Struggling The table … [Read more...]
Who Will Come Out on Top When Valencia Travel to Villarreal?
It is the ultimate battle of the sides beginning with V, as two teams with rich La Liga heritage collide on Sunday in what is, without doubt, the standout fixture in Spain’s top flight this weekend. As the pair have been involved in European exploits mid-week, the playing field has been somewhat levelled with the La Liga soccer betting for this game set to paint a picture of an even contest, but one that you will not want to miss. So, who is going to win? Recent form Villarreal Villarreal’s Estadio de la Cerámica is not one of the larger stadia in Spain, but it does lack for … [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...]
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...]
Real Sociedad v FC Barcleona – Match Preview
FC Barcelona travel away on Sunday night to play the definition of a bogey team: Real Sociedad. The fixture has been rather unique in La Liga and history certainly favours the home side. Barcelona haven’t won at Anoeta since 2007 with Sociedad coming out victorious in five of the eight meetings. This time around, it’s difficult to bet against Sociedad again. Eusebio Sacristán’s men have won four in a row and would go just one point behind Barcelona with a win and the goals are now coming for strikers Carlos Vela and Willian Jose. Further subplot is added to the match with the fact that … [Read more...]
Arsenal Close To Signing La Liga Defender
Arsenal are close to completing a deal to sign Valencia defender Shkodran Mustafi, but a fee for the centre-back is yet to be agreed by the two clubs. The Premier League outfit are keen to sign Mustafi as soon as possible as they lack defenders due to injuries suffered by Gabriel and Per Mertesacker in the build-up to the new campaign. But Valencia are determined to fight for the best possible fee for the Germany international, who featured for his side at Euro 2016 this summer. Mustafi has experience of the Premier League as he was previously on the books of Everton, but he left … [Read more...]