Filed under: Quiniela | Tags: espana, football, futbol, la liga, Quiniela, soccer, spain
LAST WEEK: 5/10*
SEASON: 23/40 (57.5%)
*I picked Barcelona to beat Xerez in a match played earlier due to Barça’s involvement in the FIFA World Club Cup
Last round was 2009 and this week is 2010. Some clubs will claim a new start with the new year but there is no escaping the results and, for some, there might be no escaping the relegation zone. One thing you cannot avoid is the excellence of Barcelona. They won a historic six trophies in 2009 and all signs point to more silverware in 2010. They are undefeated in La Liga this season and will seek to open the new year with another win over surging Villarreal (watch it on ESPN360.com). Real Madrid has a tricky road trip to Osasuna while Mallorca will defend their fortress against Athletic Bilbao. Almería start the new year with a new manager after Mexican and Real Madrid legend Hugo Sánchez was sacked following a poor run of form.
HOME WIN = 1; AWAY WIN = 2; DRAW = X
Valencia (4th) v. Espanyol (13th) 
PICK: 1
I believe Los Che will overtake Sevilla for third place if they can hang on the David Villa, David Silva, and other key players. The club was in dire financial straits in 2009 but I recently read that plans for their new stadium have been given the green light again. If this is the case it may mean that they do not need to sell players to finance their debt. However, La Liga’s top goal scorer David Villa admitted that he is open to a move to England. I don’t think he’ll force a move this winter, instead waiting for the summer if he wants to change clubs.
Barcelona (1st) v. Villarreal (9th) 
PICK: 1
Barça won every competition they entered in 2009. They are undefeated in La Liga and fresh off winning the Club World Cup in the UAE. However, there is been chatter about the status of manager Pep Guardiola. Reports are that he is exhausted and broke down in tears after Barça won the elusive Club World Cup. Guardiola’s contract is up at the end of the year and some believe he will take a break from fútbol. The media will try to make this a disctraction, in partiular the pro-Real Madrid newspaper La Marca, but Guardiola has instilled such a strong mentality in this team that their focus can hardly be shaken.
Atlético Madrid (15th) v. Sevilla (3rd) 
PICK: 2
Quique Sánchez Flores wasn’t kidding when he said that things will get much more for Atlético despite their nightmare start to the season. The forward line of los colchoneros will be missing Kun Agüero, who is doubtful for this match due to injury. Atlético’s la zaga will also be missing two starters due to accumulation of yellow cards; this might actually be a good thing since their defense is one of the worst in La Liga. Meanwhile, Sevilla has fallen off the pace of Barcelona and Real Madrid, turning La Liga into a two-horse race. Los rojiblancos are nine points adrift the leaders. They’ve been good away from home but have disappointingly dropped points at home. Luis Fabiano will miss the match but I think Sevilla has enough attacking flair with Kanouté and Navas to breakdown Atlético’s woeful defense.
Real Zaragoza (19th) v. Deportivo La Coruña (6th) 
PICK: X
Depor’s captain Manuel Pablo stated to the media that the players will not receive full salary payments for December, January, and February. The Galician club has trimmed their debt but struggled to make player payments in the past. This might distract some players, maybe even leading to a small exodus in the winter transfer market. Zaragoza is hoping a new year will change their fortunes. They’ve already changed managers and the media have linked them with loan deals for young Barcelona starlet Keirrison and Manchester United’s Federico Macheda.
Racing Santander (16th) v. Tenerife (14th) 
PICK: 1
Teams facing relegation better win their home matches, especially against fellow relegation-threatened teams.
Sporting Gijón (10th) v. Málaga (18th) 
PICK: 1
Sporting has run into a rough spot of form recently, dropping from fifth in the table down to tenth. They are strong at home and will rebound with a strong performance against Málaga.
Almería (17th) v. Xerez (20th) 
PICK: 1
New managers usually have a honeymoon period when they are brought in and there is no better team to face for your first match than the last-placed club. Xerez has scored three goals away from home this season and conceded 16 – life in the top flight has not been fun.
Getafe (8th) v. Real Valladolid (11th) 
PICK: 1
Getafe busted my quiniela last week when they beat Sevilla 2-1 on the road. They keep getting better and are climbing the table, pushing for a European place. Valladolid has trouble scoring away from home and Getafe will put in a workman-life display against a side they should beat.
Mallorca (5th) v. Athletic Bilbao (7th) 
PICK: X
This is a tough call. Bilbao has been better away from San Mamés while Mallorca is perfect at home. Their home form is astounding, scoring 20 while only conceding three goals. Their impressive streak will come to a losing end at some point but I don’t think Bilbao will get the full points. They will play well enough to be the first team to come away from Mallorca with any points at all. Ring it up as a 1-1 draw.
Osasuna (12th) v. Real Madrid (2nd) 
PICK: 2
Real Madrid won 6-0 last week and Pellegrini’s side look to be coming together. I still think their defense is the weak link and this is highlighted by the absence of Portuguese defender Pepe. Money is no problem for Madrid and they will spend in January to buy a replacement. Meanwhile, Kaká could return this week which spells bad news for Osasuna.
Leave a Comment so far
Leave a comment
