La Liga Picks September 27/28

Espanyol v Barcelona

This will be the last Catalan derby to be played in the old Olympic stadium up on Montjuic before Espanyol, (in theory) move to there shiny new stadium on the outskirts of the city, so I’d imagine everyone at the club will be extra keen to avoid defeat this weekend. The recent form book doesn’t look too bad either, indeed they won the corresponding fixture last year 3-1.  This season Espanyol have made a decent start W2, D1, L1 but have found scoring goals hard to come by scoring 3, conceding 3. Saturday they are also expecting to be without 5 first team players including new boy Steve Finnan.

Barcelona on the other hand started the season badly but have had a good week thanks to an easy trip to poor Gijon and a narrow win Wednesday night against Betis. That said all is not quite as it should be at Camp Nou and they are leaking goals at the back, failing to keep a clean sheet so far this season. 

Prediction: I expect a tight game but think Espanyol will be worthy of a  1-1  Draw

Sporting Gijon v Villareal

Sporting Gijon have started the season like there looking to set some sort of record, I’m beginning to feel sorry for them already! True the fixtures list has been particularly unkind to them but leaking 19 goals in 4 games with 0 points tells it’s own story. At the same time they face a team that look intent on proving that last season was no fluke. Admittedly Villareal haven’t played any of the current top ten but notching up 3 wins and 1 draw plus an impressive point away at Man U in the Champions League would suggest that Villareal mean business again this season. An obvious choice maybe but I think 8/13 at Paddypower actually offers reasonable value for 2nd v bottom and I just can’t see how a confidence shot Gijon will be able to get any kind of a result Saturday evening.

Prediction; Gijon 1-2 Villareal

Valencia v Deportivo La Coruna

Despite a turbulent summer Valencia have surprised many by starting the season in fine form, 3 wins and 1 Draw which came away versus the spirited Almeria. In David Villa they have a prolific goal scorer and in midfielder Juanma Mata is catching the eye. La Coruna on the other hand are not looking convincing at all, they’ve marked up just one win, (away at Real Madrid surprisingly) 2 draws and 1 defeat, plus a less than impressive 2-0 lose in the Uefa cup away to Brann in Norway. Also cause for concern is there distinct lack of goals, 2 all season. Valencia will be looking to extend there lead at the top and I can’t see Deportivo causing them too many problems.

Prediction: Valencia 2 – 0 Deportivo La Coruna