LaLiga Santander predictions: matchday 8
After his week off due to the international break, the AS English oracle is in confident mood ahead of this weekend's top flight matches.
Stunning outfits catch the eye on SI red carpet
Las Palmas – Espanyol (Friday 20.45) Prediction: home win. Result 0-0
“You don’t reach your objectives after seven games,” said Espanyol coach Quique Sánchez Flores ahead of his side’s trip to Las Palmas. You certainly don’t, Quique, but languishing in 17th probably wasn’t in the Espanyol board’s early season objectives and
Foto: Carlos Diaz-Recio / DIARIO AS
Leganés – Sevilla (Saturday 13.00) Prediction: draw. Result 2-3
Sevilla’s run without an away win is getting beyond a joke now and Jorge Sampaoli really doesn't look like a man who enjoys bad jokes. Sevilla last won on the road on the final day of the 2014-15 season and although they have some way to go to match Hércu
Foto: DIARIO AS / DIARIO AS
Barcelona – Deportivo (Saturday 16.15) Prediction: home win. Result 4-0
Barcelona should have Leo Messi back for the visit of Depor to try and add a bit of make-up to a record at Camp Nou that currently reads won one, drawn one, lost one. Ivan Rakitic and Jordi Alba will be missing though, which won’t help Luis Enrique’s caus
Foto: FERNANDO ZUERAS / DIARIO AS
Atlético – Granada (Saturday 18.30) Prediction: home win. Result 7-1
Granada have never beaten Atlético at the Calderón, the Andalusian club’s record at the soon-to-be demolished stadium reading played 16, lost 15, drawn one. Propping up the table after the rather disastrous and short-lived reign of Paco Jémez, there is li
Foto: Mariscal / EFE
Betis – Real Madrid (Saturday 20.45) Prediction: draw. Result 1-6
The Villamarín was the scene of Zinedine Zidane’s first reverse as Real boss last season and Betis have a decent record historically at home; last season’s 1-1 draw, 2012’s 1-0 win (with Cristiano Ronaldo on the wrong end of the score sheet) and three con
Foto: Mariscal / EFE
Alavés – Málaga (Sunday 12.00) Prediction: draw. Result 1-1
Alavés' barnstorming start to the season has dropped off somewhat and the harsh reality of life in the top flight is setting in after one win in their last four games -- and that was against Granada. However, Málaga, much like Jack Kerouac, are utter dros
Foto: MIGUEL MORENATTI / DIARIO AS
Athletic – Real Sociedad (Sunday 16.15) Prediction: draw
Few stats raise an eyebrow at AS Towers but Athletic’s recent record in the Basque derby was a Carlo Ancelotti job. The Lions haven’t won the regional slug-fest since March 2012 with La Real claiming the spoils on four occasions and the other four meeting
Foto: Luis Tejido / DIARIO AS
Sporting – Valencia (Sunday 18.30) Prediction: away win
Both Sporting and Valencia have been several shades of rotten so far this season, leaking 30 goals between them and occupying 16th and 18th respectively as a result. Valencia may get a bit of a shot in the arm from having a seasoned task-master at the hel
Foto: DAVID GONZALEZ / DIARIO AS
Villarreal – Celta (Sunday 20.45) Prediction: home win
The meeting of two sides with a proud tradition of playing swift football with the round thing firmly on the deck, the action at El Madrigal has been scheduled in the prime time slot and hopefully won't disappoint. There should be a few goals; Celta have
Foto: MIGUEL MORENATTI / DIARIO AS
Eibar – Osasuna (Monday 20.45) Prediction: home win
Eibar have beaten Valencia and Sociedad at home and held Sevilla. The Basques will be just too strong for an Osasuna side that can score goals but can't settle on a formation, can't stop conceding and can't but a first win of the season.
Foto: MIGUEL MORENATTI / DIARIO AS
