Category Archives: Primera Division

Can Atletico sneak under the radar?

on November 12, 2019 None comments

After Real Madrid’s spending spree in the summer and Barcelona’s dominance last campaign, Atletico Madrid have barely had a mention as potential title contenders this time around.

Having lost just once in the first 12 La Liga matches, Diego Simeone has once again built a side which are very hard to break down. However, his team are guilty of one too many draws which could end up costing them dearly, having drawn half of their league matches to date.

Sevilla vs Atletico Madrid

Atletico’s lack of goals is an area in which Simeone’s side is struggling this season, having only scored twelve in twelve games. With the likes of Alvaro Morata, Diego Costa and Joao Felix among their ranks, Atletico will need at least two of them to score 10+ goals if they are to knock Barcelona off their perch. Having said that, their defence has been superb, only conceding seven in the league. Jan Oblak is one of the finest goalkeepers in the world, and Atletico will always have a chance with him between the sticks.

Despite the three attackers named above, it is evident to see the loss of Antoine Griezmann to Barcelona in the summer was a huge loss, having contributed 15 league goals for Atletico last campaign. However, Griezmann hasn’t had quite the same impact at Camp Nou this season, with certain fans believing Lionel Messi is purposely avoiding passing to his new teammate.

La Liga betting shows Atletico Madrid are complete outsiders to win the title at 18/1, despite being on the heels of both Barcelona and arch-rivals Real. Barcelona remain heavy favourites at 1/2, while Zinedine Zidane’s side are 2/1 after a fairly promising start, especially after integrating plenty of new signings. Simeone’s side are also priced at 25/1 to win the Champions League, so it’s safe to say the bookmakers aren’t confident in Atletico winning a trophy in 2020.

It is worth noting, however, that Barcelona have lost three games already this season, having only lost the same amount in the entire of the previous season when they ran away with the title, nine points clear of Atletico. Barcelona were desperate to bring back Neymar this summer, but the deal never materialised and, at present, it is looking more and more likely this missed opportunity could cost them their title.

Despite the odds, Atletico hold every chance of challenging both Barcelona and Real Madrid. However, if they are unable to improve their finishing ability, it could prove costly. But with Morata and Diego Costa within their ranks, both are proven goalscorers around the world and if either can burst into life, there is every chance Atletico can continue to go about their business and continue to sneak under the radar.

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Will Barcelona breeze to another title?

on August 12, 2019 None comments

All summer, the focus has very much been on Barcelona’s arch-rivals, Real Madrid. Zinedine Zidane hasn’t been afraid to throw Real’s money about, as he looks to re-energise a side who failed to land a blow last campaign. The obvious starting point is the addition of Eden Hazard from Chelsea, who will no doubt be their star player next season.

Real Madrid have strengthened in every area, but it was obvious they needed to. After finishing 19 points off Barcelona and eight points off Atletico Madrid, it is fair to say Real Madrid were embarrassed several times last season.

But with all the focus on Real Madrid, are people forgetting Barcelona’s dominance in domestic football? They may have been dumped out of the Champions League with their tail between their leagues for a second year in a row, after being smashed by Liverpool at Anfield, but they have dominated La Liga for years. La Liga betting shows Barcelona are the favourites to retain their title, with Real Madrid second favourites at 13-8. Despite finishing second, Atletico Madrid are third favourites at 12-1 with Bet365.

Atletico Madrid have lost a large chunk of their defence, with Diego Godin heading to Inter Milan, Lucas Hernandez moving to Bayern Munich, Juanfran joining Sao Paolo and Filipe Luis returning to Brazil to see out his final few years before he retires. Joao Felix has been brought in for a record fee of 126 million euros from Benfica, with a lot of expectation to deliver this season. However, he is just the poster boy of what has been a large rebuild for Atleti over the summer.

Last year, Barcelona secured their eighth title in 11 seasons, and with ease. Not only did they win La Liga in style, but they have brought in Atletico Madrid’s Antoine Griezmann, who has been Atletico’s star man for several years. Griezmann is one of the most talented attackers in world football, so his arrival adds to an already potent forward line. The additions of Frenkie de Jong and Junior Firpo strengthen two key areas of the squad, while Neto ensures they have depth in the goalkeeping position, and they have been able to move on a number of players who were surplus to requirements.

Barcelona’s star player, Lionel Messi, took to the pitch after their 2-1 pre-season friendly against Arsenal to address the Camp Nou crowd. The Argentine told the sell-out crowd that Barcelona’s success in the domestic league was not to be sniffed at, despite failing to win the Champions League the past two seasons.

Barcelona will probably prefer the attention to be away from them after their disappointing defeat to Liverpool. But they have nothing to prove on home soil and are likely to once again show why they are the best team in Spain come May next year. It will take an awful lot to prevent Messi and co. from securing their ninth title in twelve seasons, that is for sure.

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Real Madrid Facing the Unthinkable

on January 10, 2018 None comments

While they’ve not always claimed their domestic league title on a regular basis, we’ve become accustomed to seeing Real Madrid dominate in Europe, taking three Champions League trophies in four seasons. They’re still in the mix for European glory in 2017/18 but issues in La Liga means that the unthinkable may become a reality.

Could Real miss out on qualification for the Champions League next season? As they returned from the Spanish winter break in fourth place, there is much work to be done to book their customary place amongst Europe’s elite.

Dominant

Attention among the football betting community is starting to turn to the World Cup, with odds comparison site Oddschecker listing a number of free bet options for Russia 2018. Before that main event, there is much to be decided in Spain and in other domestic leagues around the world.

In La Liga, Barca started January with a 16-point lead over Real in what has been a dominant campaign so far for the Catalans. Real are a general 14/1 shot to win the title this season, but perhaps Barca are more concerned about the challenges from Atletico Madrid and Valencia, who sit in second and third respectively.

Meanwhile, fourth place would be enough to take Real Madrid into the early stages of the Champions League but they cannot afford to be complacent. Sevilla, Villarreal and Eibar all sit within five points of Zinedine Zidane’s men and harbour genuine ambitions of claiming that fourth slot.

Crucial Fixtures

A home defeat to Barcelona just before Christmas has rather summed up Real’s season so far as they went down 3-0 to their rivals while having Dani Carvajal sent off in the 63rd minute. If they are to stay in the top four, Zidane’s men simply must pick up points against the teams around them and January sees the side face crucial fixtures against Villarreal and Valencia.

Of course, the club can get back into the Champions League by winning it for the third time in succession. That would be an unprecedented event and Madrid’s form in the group phase makes that far from certain. Real were taken apart by Tottenham Hotspur at Wembley, failed to finish top of their group and as a result face a tough tie against high-flying Paris St Germain in the last 16.

As a club known for a lack of patience, it’s a surprise to some that Zidane is still in the manager’s chair after such a poor start to the 2017/18 campaign. As one of Real Madrid’s greatest ever players, ‘Zizou’ is perhaps being given more time to resolve these issues than others may have been afforded.

Naturally, there is enough time to turn things around but with a successful defence of their La Liga title now looking doomed, the club simply must focus on their remaining games as the Champions League just wouldn’t be the same without Real Madrid.

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BARCELONA VS. BETIS 4 – 2

on January 20, 2012 None comments

Barcelona do not give up the race for the title of championship, and win the match with the score 4-2 with Betis. Barcelona lead 2-0 at half time, but are equal in the second half. Draw does not last long, and Barcelona score another 2 goals.

Barcelona: Valdes – Puyol, Mascherano, Abidal – Busquets, Xavi, Iniesta (Adriano 88 ‘), Cesc (Thiago 83’) – Alexis, Messi, Cuenca (Alves 46 ‘).

Betis: Casto – Isidoro, Dorado, Mario, Nacho – Canas, Iriney (Roque Santa Cruz 46 ‘) – Salva Sevilla (Matilla 57’), Jefferson Montero, Ruben Castro, Molina (Ustaritz 73 ‘).

They scored: Xavi (10 ‘), Messi (12’, 85 ‘), Alexis (75’) and Ruben Castro (32 ‘) and Roque Santa Cruz (52’).

Barcelona is also in top 5 real points, and continue to put pressure on them.

Barcelona is a good team that you can bet.

 

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Espanyol VS. BARCELONA 1-1

on January 14, 2012 None comments

Barcelona started poorly this year, making only a draw in the first match of the championship this year, with Espanyol.

Barcelona started the match well, and was 0-1 at half time thanks to Fàbregas who scored in minute 16.Meciul goals then was free until the 86th minute when Álvaro marks for Espanyol, and the match ends in a draw.

Espanyol: Cristian Alvarez (Kiko Casilla 81 ‘), Raul Rodriguez, lover, Hector Moreno, Didac, Romar (Alvaro Vazquez 64’), Forlin, Weiss (Javi Lopez 46 ‘), Thievy, Verdu, Sergio Garcia.

Barcelona: Valdes, Alves, Puyol, Pique, Abidal, Sergio Busquets, Xavi, Iniesta, Messi, Cesc (Keita 85 ‘), Alexis (Pedro 71’).

With this equal distances himself from Real Madrid Barcelona 5 points difference, while Espanyol remain in 8th place in the Primera Division.

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