Barcelona to outgun Los Armeros
Eibar have been enjoying another fine season in La Liga, despite a poor start, and some might suggest they’re playing Barcelona at exactly the right time, just before a Champions League knockout fixture.
Though the match does lend itself to rotation from the Catalans, the likelihood of Ernesto Valverde doing so is minimal, thanks to the dropped points against Getafe.
Another slip up here and Atletico Madrid will be breathing down Barca’s necks if they see off Athletic Club.
Fortunately, despite all of Eibar’s excellence, they’ve a poor record against the Blaugrana, both at the Camp Nou and Ipurua, where Saturday’s match will take place.
In seven fixtures, Los Armeros have never beaten their illustrious opponents, and never scored against them at home either. All four of their goals have been at the Camp Nou, their last two games at Ipurua being 4-0 victories for Barca.
With Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi in the mood, don’t bet against a similar scoreline.
The only crumb of comfort Jose Luis Mendilibar and his troops can hold onto is that the Catalans never play at their best in the early Saturday afternoon kick-offs, but that’s really clutching at straws.
Normal service resumed for Real Madrid
One of the shock results of the season came at the Santiago Bernabeu when Real Betis hit an injury-time winner.
The result left many open-mouthed but the performance which ensured the three points was a joy to watch. Real Madrid were simply played off of the pitch.
Things have changed since then, and though Los Blancos are still far from where they need to be, the manner of their own performance against PSG will give them the confidence to build again, and enjoy a fabulous end to the campaign.
What’s that old saying; ‘It’s not how you start, it’s how you finish.’
Zinedine Zidane pulled out all of the stops in Europe and now it’s time to do the same in domestic competition. Starting with keeping Isco in a starting role at the expense of Gareth Bale.
It’s obvious what the former brings to the table and Real do look a much more balanced side with him in it. Bale as an impact sub might not be to his liking but it benefits the team.
Quique Setien’s side have conceded the most out of the top 13 teams in the league and with Ronaldo sniffing blood again, prepare for another hatful from the Portuguese in amongst a swashbuckling attacking performance from the all whites.
Atletico v Athletic
No goals conceded in their last three league games means Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid are getting back to what they do best.
Often maligned for grinding out 1-0 wins, Cholo will point his side being the only realistic challengers to Barcelona for this season’s La Liga title.
Jan Oblak is once again in Zamora Trophy winning form so even if Athletic’s front line manage to get through a patched-up home defence, there’s no guarantee they’ll beat ‘the wall.’
With no wins in their last five league games, and only 24 goals scored this season, Jose Ziganda’s team have clearly underperformed in 2017/18. How the Basques could do with a morale-boosting victory to hoist them up into the top half of the table.
It’s unlikely to come here. Antoine Griezmann is back in the groove and his midfield supply line from the likes of Gabi, Koke and Saul Niguez has never been better than now.
Unlikely to be a high-scoring duel again, but that will be music to the ears of Simeone.
Malaga v Valencia
Marcelino’s side need to add to Malaga’s woes this weekend because Real Madrid will slot their postponed game against Leganes in just a few days after Betis, meaning that if Los Che were to lose, Los Blancos could be five points clear of them by next Wednesday.
Los Boquerones will be no pushovers at home mind. Already seven points from safety and with the games starting to count down to the business end, it’s matches like these where three points are a must.
As a bare minimum, they’ll be scrapping for their lives, and that won’t suit a Valencia side that like to spray the ball around. As Malaga go hunting in packs, there’s bound to be a late challenge or two to bring this one to life.
Simone Zaza, Geoffrey Kondogbia and Goncalo Guedes, arguably the visitors’ most important trio, are all fit for this one, and the latter should set the tempo along with Dani Parejo.
Jose Gonzalez will probably set Malaga up with the 4-4-2 that Atletico Madrid found so difficult to break down other than when scoring their first minute winner.
If they can get the ball out wide to Keko and Castro to feed Brown Ideye, there’s chances for the hosts to spring a shock here.
Las Palmas v Sevilla
This could well be the game of the weekend for entertainment value. Both teams love to attack, and Paco Jemez will send his players out without any fear at all, against a Sevilla side that’s been a bit hit and miss since Vincenzo Montella took over.
The Andalusians have arguably the better front line, though they have been found wanting in midfield on occasions this season.
Las Palmas will get at them from the first whistle, but they need to put some goals on the board. Only Malaga have scored less than their 17, only Depor have conceded more than their 50.
Steven N’Zonzi should boss this centrally along with Guido Pizarro. Jesus Navas and Sergio Escudero will get forward at every opportunity to supply the bullets to Wissam Ben Yedder.
With some heavy defeats under his tutelage already, Jemez won’t want confidence knocked again, and he’ll likely base his game plan around the one that beat Valencia on the Canary Islands a short while ago.
At present Sevilla are hanging on the coat tails of the top four, but I see Las Palmas’ greater need for points authoring the outcome here.
