La Liga

Athletico Bilbao v Barcelona

I think we might see some strange results this weekend, not just in La Liga but in all the top leagues in Europe as players return from International duties and there respective travels. On paper Barcelona, who thrashed Athletico Madrid 6-1 before the break should beat Bilbao but personally I’m not so sure. The Catalans had practically the entire first team away so have had very little time to prepare and tired, jet lagged legs could well show. The Basques, on the other hand, have had plenty of time to rest and plan so should be fresh and raring to go. That said Barcelona will be looking to carry on from where they left off so I think on balance this one could end up a draw.

Bilbao 1 -1 Barcelona

Athletico Madrid v Real Madrid

It’s been a difficult week in Madrid with stories of racism and crowd trouble tarnishing both clubs so Saturday night will be a great opportunity to put that to one side and let the football do the talking. Tiredness will not be a valid excuse in this case and both sets of supporters will be looking for a win, all be it for different reasons. Athletico, who started the season well have gone into a real tail spin of late and need to steady the ship. They’ve had a tough time injury wise too so the likely return of Tristan Forlan will be a welcome sight. Real also have good news on that front with Robben likely to be back in the squad. Real have goals and options going forward a plenty but have often been caught out defensively, whilst a wounded Athletico and a passionate atmosphere make me think this game could be reasonably high scoring affair so I’m going for over 2.5 goals for this one.

O/U 2.5 over.

Valencia v Numancia

A quick glance at the league table tells you this should be a home win and I can’t find much reason to dispute that. Numancia have won once in the last six matches whilst Valencia have picked up 15 points from the last five. That said Numancia are no pushovers and won’t be there just to make up the numbers as Barcelona, who they beat and Real Madrid, (eventually losing 4-3) will testify. That said Valencia will be looking at this as 3 points and I expect them to do it.

Valancia 2 – 0 Numancia

Villarreal v Real Betis

Although I think Betis are better than there current position suggests, third from bottom, I can’t see them getting much joy this weekend at Villarreal. Whilst it’s true Betis have had to play Real Madrid, Barcelona and Seville already this season they’ve found it hard to score goals, 4 in 5 games with there 2 points both coming from 0-0 draws. Furthermore there are rumblings of discontent and disharmony with growing pressure on the coach Paco Chaparro’s. Villarreal in stark contrast are flying, sitting joint top with Valencia and with one foot already in the next round of the Champions league after drawing away at Old Trafford and then beating Celtic at home. Villarreal haven’t conceded a goal at home this season and have only let in 2 in the last 7 matches in all competitions. Coach Manuel Pellegrini has practically a full squad to pick from.

Prediction:  Villarreal to win.

Real Madrid v Espanyol

Whilst Madrid’s Athletico travel to Barcelona, Espanyol travel the other way to face Real Madrid, not really what you’d want after a painful defeat in the last minute against there Catalan ‘brothers’  last Sunday, courtesy of a dodgy penalty in the 14th minute of injury time, (crowd trouble). It wasn’t a pretty game to watch but Espanyol really struggled in the second half as Barcelona upped the tempo and hit there stride. That said Espanyol are always a tough nut to crack and I don’t expect them to roll over, they will defend doggedly and look to catch Madrid on the break but I can’t help thinking Madrid’s quality and home advantage will see them through in the end. Real are in great form too, winning there last 6 games and Raul, who was rested in the week, will be hoping to prove a point with a return to the starting 11.

Prediction: Real Madrid to win.

Mallorca v Sporting Gijon

Clearly Sporting Gijon have found life in La Liga hard going and the fixtures list couldn’t of been much crueler, but the team, made up of mostly young inexperienced players, can take some comfort from a spirited display last weekend versus Villarreal where they lost by a single goal. Surely they will eventually pick up some points somewhere won’t they? but probably not this week. Mallorca are unbeaten in 4 and having won the last 2 they will be confident of 3 points this weekend. It’s not particularly clever to keep picking on Sporting Gijon to lose but so far pretty profitable!

Prediction: Mallorca to win.

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

Folks,

Welcome to my post, I am to deliver previews of the biggest European games each weekend as well as in-depth analysis of how to make you money. I have an accurate strategy which aims to minimize risk and utilise a spread betting systemhealthy return which should still guarantee an .

I am based in the UK but have contacts in Scotland, Spain and Italy meaning an up-to-date insight of European Football. My picks this weekend will focus on teams on the road, therefore better odds on top teams, when teams are playing away they are quite unpredictable, but if you bet across numerous leagues picking big teams then the risk is lessened.

The English Premiership drums up some very interesting fixtures this weekend.

As an avid Liverpool fan, I have to discuss the Merseyside Derby. Liverpool were uninventive against Stoke and lazy against Crewe yet they still remain undefeated in the league. How £40 million pounds worth of strikers haven’t clicked yet, I do not know, it drives me up the walls without being too bias. This match is always fiery and produces goals, it’s maybe Robbie Keanes time to step up to the plate and produce the goods. Im sticking my neck on the line and going for an away win, Everton are scoring goals with Cahill getting back to form but their defence is hardly water tight at the moment.

Back Liverpool, odds (6/5).(Bet Direct/Skybet/Stan James)

Newcastle are on a downward spirral at the moment, the talk of El Tel taking over will also not bear will with the faithful Geordies. The talks with a Nigerian consurtium are also promising, the sooner Mike Ashley moves on the better. They need stability, security, and patience. Whether King Kev returns or not, the new manager should be given sufficient time and money, but this weekend I feel spells more doom and gloom, even Tottenham beat Newcastle this week!! Blackburn to edge this one just.

Back Blackburn, odds (2/1)(Ladbrokes)

My other picks for this weekend in the Premiership are Chelsea (2/5) Bet 365) to easily overturn Stoke, and Man City (7/5) Ladbrokes) (Goal Machines) to overturn Wigan in a game that will produce a lot of drama.

The Scottish divisions are a speciality of mine, I have lived in Edinburgh for three years and the Scottish people are very passionate about their football. I have learnt a lot from uber enthusiam regarding the beautiful game, fitba as they call it.

My Scottish banker this weekend is – Rangers.

Rangers to come to Edinburgh and take all three points against Hibs. Rangers only have the league to play for this year, and Hibs are just getting over a somewhat sticky start. ( Back Rangers 8/11 (Bet 365)

Across Europe we also have some interesting teams on the road. All three teams have performed comfortably well on the road recently, both Barca and Madrid hammered the helpless Sporting Gijon, so I feel Villareal will comfortably follow suit. I can’t help but add Real Madrid and Barcelona to my coupons, they have superstars thoughout their team and are arguably world beaters on their day. Just be careful to mix your away selections accordingly picking one or two teams from each league, reducing the risk.

Villareal vs Sporting Gijon.(4/6 Ladbrokes)

Barcelona vs Espanyol. (17/20 Centrebet)

Real Madrid vs Betis. (9/10 Betdirect)

Apologies I have recently fractured my thumb and typing is frustrating at the moment, anyway best of luck this weekend, and don’t hesitate to get in touch with any questions!!

Gerard