LALIGA
La Liga Santander week 12 predictions, results and report
AS Oracle was on extended international break so his apprentice, AS Dowser, pointed his stick at LaLiga to see what he could foresee...not much with only two right!
Real Betis v Las Palmas (Fri 20:45) Prediction: away win - Result 2-0
With Poyet gone, Víctor Sánchez del Amo has a first chance to make his mark after the international break. Both teams come into this with just one win from their last five league games but the islanders’ 1-0 win over Eibar last time out reminded the fans of what they were seeing earlier in the campaign. Cejudo is suspended for the home side and although history is on their side (Las Palmas have only beaten the Sevilla side once in their last twelve meetings) the new man in charge will have to wait a little longer to see his first points arrive.
Deportivo v Sevilla (Sat 13:00) Prediction: away win - Result 2-3
With such an impressive array of talent Sevilla’s form away from home (one win in 24) is something of a surprise and Jorge Sampaoli needs to change this if they are to have a realistic chance of pushing any of the big three this season - or even a top four slot. As Albentosa returns to the Depo backline the vistors know that one of the players of the season thus far, Sami Nasri, is a slight doubt but along with N’Zonzi should allow control of the midfield. Vitolo will be hoping to keep the form he showed for Spain going.
Barcelona v Málaga (Sat 16:15) Prediction: home win - Result 0-0
Luis Suárez joins the list of regular first teamers to miss this game although his appeared slightly less accidental. In his absence we can expect to see Alcácer join Messi and Neymar which will still be too much for Málaga who arrive without an away win in their last eight attempts but only one defeat in the last five Liga games, against Atlético. Barça didn’t impress in their last Camp Nou fixture but should take this one by a couple of goals.
Eibar v Celta (Sat 18:30) Prediction: draw - Result 1-0
It’s the time of year where we tend to see suspensions kick in and Eibar’s Kike Garcia’s absence gives Mendilibar a further decision to make. The basque side welcome a Celta team who will also miss the suspended, player of the month and now international goalscorer, Iago Aspas with Guidetti likely to replace him and a win for Eibar would take them a point above their opponents. The impressive Villarreal were turned over unexpectedly at the Ipurua recently but we see spoils being shared this weekend.
Atlético v Real Madrid (Sat 20:45) Prediction: home win Result 0-3
The Madrid derby will clearly be taking a lot of the media attention in Spain and abroad. Atlético are again getting talked up as serious title contenders this year and many would argue have turned in better performances than their neighbours this season not to mention that it’s been three and a half years since they lost this battle in LaLiga. Not that the home players will need any additional motivation but the thought of their Champions League final loss, the final league derbi at the Calderon and the vociferous support that is going to be behind them should have all guns blazing.
The visitors currently sit top after ten games but are still yet to impress many who have watched them. Key injuries have dogged Zidane’s side but he may be able to line up Casemiro and Modric for the first time in a while. If the BBC function then anything can happen but playing form suggests not.
Alavés v Espanyol (Sun 12:00) Prediction: draw - Result 0-1
With just a point separating them in the mid-section of the table, and one win in their last five, both teams will see this as an opportunity to gain some ground. Useful news for the home side is the return from suspension of their Brazilian striker Deyverson who will lead the line. And the Mendizorrotza has become a bit of a fortress this season with only one defeat at the hands of the current league leaders. There will be goals, but an equal amount for each team.
Valencia v Granada (Sun 16:15) Prediction: home win - Result 1-1
Coming into this match, Cesare Prandelli’s side sit just one point above the relegation zone but the good news is that they face the bottom side, a team that is yet to register a win in the first 11 games and with a -16 goal difference. Tough recent fixtures against Atlético and Barcelona haven’t helped Valencia’s league position but after a strong showing against the Blaugrana fans were disappointed to see a draw and a loss, away to Depo and Celta, follow. Granada put on a gutsy display in their 1-0 defeat at the Camp Nou – albeit with their hosts having an off-day – but I can’t see anything other than a comfortable home win.
Sporting v Real Sociedad (Sun 18:30) Prediction: away win - 1-3
Although we’re not yet a third of the way through the season, Sporting will be keen to get themselves out and as far from the relegation places as soon as possible. In 18th position currently, they know that 13th is just three points away. But La Real arrive in Gijon just two points worse off than Atlético (who they beat 2-0 in their last game) and have a better goal difference than Sevilla – two teams being touted for big things – and will improve on their situation this weekend.
Athletic v Villarreal (Sun 20:45) Prediction: draw - Result 1-0
This game is an intriguing one that on paper may suggest an away win. The visitors have up-bubbled their way to third after 11 games and Nicole Sansone already has five goals to his name, as many as Cristiano and Bale. The home team can boast their own five-goal man, though, and veteran Aduríz also came off the bench to score for Spain against Macedonia during the break. Despite recent form, I fancy Athletic to hold on for a point resulting in Villarreal dropping out of the top four by the end of the weekend.
Leganes v Osasuna (Mon 20:45) Prediction: draw - Result 2-0
Monday night’s game sees the Pamplona side head south to the outskirts of the capital as 17th take on 19th just three points separating them at the wrong end of the table. As league position would suggest, neither come into this in sparkling form with the home side losing their last four (conceding 12 and scoring 2) and Osasuna with just one win all season. But with new manager Caparrós to impress and decent results in their last two games away from El Sadar - a win at Eibar and a hard-fought draw at Athletic - I expect honours to be even.